A disturbing discovery in a Los Angeles tow yard has kicked off a major police investigation, mixing a grim mystery with a touch of celebrity intrigue. It all began when police got a call about a truly awful smell coming from a car.
Los Angeles Police Department officers headed to the 1000 block of Mansfield Avenue in Hollywood on Monday, September 8. There, at a vehicle tow yard, they found the source of the smell: a Tesla. Reports from local news channel Us Weekly confirm that detectives located what looked like human remains inside the car. Police have since launched a death investigation.
Authorities told KTLA that this Tesla had been towed from the Hollywood Hills about a week before. It had been reported abandoned. Aerial views from local news stations showed police tape draped around the Tesla and other cars at the city’s impound lot. A white tent was also set up nearby, adding to the somber scene.
Because of how badly decomposed the body was, investigators still don’t know the gender of the person who died.
The Celebrity Connection
This already strange story took an even stranger turn. News outlets like TMZ and KABC reported that the Tesla is registered to David Anthony Burke, who many know as the rising singer D4vd. The car’s registration is reportedly tied to Hempstead, Texas.
However, police told Us Weekly that they "have no information about the vehicle or owner." Us Weekly reached out to D4vd’s representative for comments. A spokesperson for D4vd later told NBC News that the singer "has been informed about what happened." They added that D4vd is still on tour but "is cooperating fully with authorities."
D4vd Courtesy of D4vd/Instagram
D4vd’s Busy Schedule
This bizarre news comes while the 20-year-old artist is quite busy. Just two days before the body was found, on Saturday, September 6, D4vd shared an update on social media. He wrote, "Tomorrow I start media training guys, wish me luck…".
Then, on Monday—the same day the body was discovered—he also posted exciting news about his upcoming album. This new project is titled Withered Deluxe: Marcescence.
D4vd took to Instagram to share his passion for it. "Each song written by me, on my phone, baby, this is a passion project I put together to make sure I didn’t lose the genuine emotional weight my music carries and how much it means to all of you," he explained. He also thanked his collaborators, saying, "Thanks to all the friends who collaborated with me on this, everyone KILLED IT WITH THEIR VERSES ❤️❤️❤️."
D4vd has quickly become a big name in music, known for popular songs like "Here With Me" and "Romantic Homicide." He’s currently on his world tour, called Withered. His next show is planned for Tuesday, September 9, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These concerts support his latest album, which first came out in April.
Back on February 4, he posted about that album, showing his dedication. "Thank you all eternally for waiting for me. This album means SO MUCH to me, you have no idea the blood, sweat, and tears that went into trying to create this project over the last 2 years," he wrote. He also shared how he kept "starting over and over until nothing was left on this sonic canvas but thoughts, melodies, and emotions that were unequivocally mine."
The investigation into the body found in the Tesla continues. Police are working to identify the victim and understand the full story behind this puzzling event.