Los Angeles police discovered a dead body inside a Tesla registered to 20-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, who performs as D4vd, on Sept. 8, authorities said. Burke has not been arrested, and investigators said there was no indication he was involved in the matter.
Born in New York City and raised in Houston, Burke rose quickly in popular music after releasing his first album six months ago and making his Coachella debut in April. The performer maintained a high profile through 2025, appearing as a musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, attending Paris Men’s Fashion Week and announcing a world tour to his roughly two million Instagram followers. He was scheduled to perform this week in Missouri, Colorado and Utah.
Police reported the vehicle was registered in Burke’s name but provided few further details about the discovery, including the identity of the deceased or the cause of death. Investigators said the inquiry remains active; they did not announce any arrests or name any suspects.
Burke, who performs under the stage name D4vd, began making music as a teenager after being homeschooled through seventh grade and raised primarily on gospel and classical music. He told VMan magazine that his mother’s restrictions prompted him to explore other sounds in secret, ultimately pushing him to create original music after copyright strikes disrupted his gaming videos on YouTube. He has cited a range of influences and has described early experimentation producing songs such as "Run Away" and "You and I," which gained traction online.
Before his recent breakout, Burke opened for SZA on a 2023 tour that played to large audiences, and he has remained a frequent presence on social media and in fashion circles. His Coachella set in April drew attention online after an onstage fall went viral. He has been photographed at industry events alongside established artists, and performed at high-profile fashion shows in Paris in June.
Representatives for Burke did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Los Angeles police said they would release additional information as the investigation progressed.
The discovery has drawn media attention partly because of Burke’s rapid rise in the music industry and his public profile, including television appearances and international engagements. Authorities urged anyone with information about the vehicle or the incident to contact investigators. The probe remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not brought charges related to the incident.