Remains discovered in two separate tow-yard cases in LA, one car linked to D4vd
Los Angeles police found human remains inside a Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard on Monday after someone reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle. The Tesla, which bore Texas plates and was registered to musician David Anthony Burke — known professionally as d4vd — had been towed from the Bird Streets neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills after being abandoned five days earlier. The case in the Hollywood Hills has been classified as a death investigation.
The LAPD responded about 12:20 p.m. after the smell prompted staff at Hollywood Tow on N. Mansfield Ave. to alert authorities. Detectives found a head and torso contained in a bag inside the Tesla’s front trunk. The L.A. County medical examiner could not determine the person’s gender because of the level of decomposition; there is currently no information on the identity of the remains.
Separate discovery: partially burned body in a Honda Civic
On Tuesday, investigators also found a partially burned body inside a Honda Civic at a different tow yard. That Civic logged as towed on Aug. 25 and is connected to a missing person report; law enforcement says it is considered a separate incident from the Tesla case.
What investigators and sources say
- The Tesla was abandoned for about five days before being towed from the Hollywood Hills.
- Investigators believe the remains were stashed in the trunk for roughly five days prior to the tow.
- The impounded Tesla sat at the tow yard for a few days before the odor was reported.
- KTLA5 and other outlets reported the Tesla is registered in Hempstead, Texas, to David Anthony Burke (d4vd).
- LAPD classifies the Hollywood Hills matter as a death investigation; details remain limited.
About d4vd and his current status
David Anthony Burke, who records as d4vd (pronounced “David”), is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter who first rose to fame on TikTok and now has about 3.6 million followers there. He is currently on his Withered world tour and expected to perform in Minneapolis on Tuesday. The artist has not issued any public statements about the investigation.
d4vd is famous for hits such as “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” both of which have over 1 billion streams on Spotify. His most recent show before the discovery was in Madison, Wis., and he also posted on social media promoting an upcoming album this month.
Descriptions and safety notes from authorities
- The remains in the Tesla described as a head and torso inside a plastic bag in the front trunk.
- The medical examiner could not identify gender because of decomposition.
- It is unknown whether the body found is connected to d4vd personally; the car is registered to him but he is alive and continues to tour.
- LAPD Officer Charles Miller and other law enforcement sources confirmed the initial response and classification.
Timeline of key events (as reported)
- Tesla abandoned in Hollywood Hills, towed five days later.
- Shortly before 12:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Sept. 8, someone at Hollywood Tow reported a foul odor.
- Detectives located decomposing remains in the Tesla’s front trunk.
- On Tuesday, a separate search at a different tow yard uncovered a partially burned body in a Honda Civic logged as towed on Aug. 25.
If you have information relevant to these investigations, authorities encourage you to contact the LAPD. For ongoing coverage of d4vd, the d4vd tesla discovery, and related updates out of LA. Plus the latest US news today and Canada news today — follow TNN.
