When the dismembered body of a teenage girl from Lake Elsinore was found inside an abandoned Tesla in a Los Angeles tow yard last September, no one imagined the driver would be a rising R&B star. But on November 19, 2025, D4vd, the 20-year-old musician born David, was officially named a suspect in the case — a twist no one saw coming, especially not his fans who’ve streamed his songs over 200 million times on Spotify.
The Discovery That Shook Los Angeles
The car was found abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, just one block from the rental home D4vd had been using while recording new music. It sat untouched for two months after being reported parked illegally — until a routine tow yard inspection in September 2025 revealed human remains inside the trunk. The body was badly decomposed and dismembered, according to KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade, who broke the story on November 19. The victim, still unidentified by name, was later confirmed to be a girl who vanished from Lake Elsinore over a year earlier — likely in late 2023 or early 2024. That means she was missing for more than 18 months before her remains were found.Who Is D4vd? A Star on the Rise
D4vd, whose real name hasn’t been publicly released, is a self-made artist from Southern California who rose from SoundCloud uploads to opening for major acts like Giveon and Brent Faiyaz. His breakout single, "In My Room," hit the Billboard R&B charts in 2024. He’s known for moody, atmospheric tracks that blend soul, electronic, and bedroom pop — a sound that resonated with Gen Z listeners. At 20, he was on the cusp of mainstream breakthrough, with a new album slated for early 2026. Now, his career hangs in the balance.He was touring the Midwest when the Tesla was discovered. Investigators didn’t question him until November, after his return to California. According to TMZ, detectives have been reviewing his phone records, social media activity, and the Tesla’s onboard telemetry — which includes GPS logs, door locks, and climate settings. The car’s last known location before abandonment was a residential street near the Hollywood Bowl.
The Mysterious Trip to Santa Barbara
One detail that’s raised red flags: a trip D4vd took in spring 2025 — just weeks after his last known contact with the missing teen, according to investigators. He reportedly drove alone to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County, arriving around 2 a.m. and staying for nearly six hours. The area is near the Los Padres National Forest — sparsely populated, with no cell service for miles. No surveillance cameras captured him. No witnesses came forward. But the timing? Odd. Too odd, say sources close to the case.“It’s not just the location,” one anonymous detective told KTLA. “It’s the silence afterward. He didn’t post. Didn’t call anyone. Just drove back. And then went straight into studio sessions.”
Who’s Investigating? A Cross-Jurisdictional Puzzle
The case spans two counties. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department opened the missing persons case in 2024. The Los Angeles Police Department took over after the body was found within city limits. The coroner’s office in Riverside County is handling the autopsy, though no cause of death has been released. The District Attorney’s office in Los Angeles County is waiting for evidence.“THE POLICE HAVE NOT PRESENTED THE CASE TO OUR OFFICE SO AT THIS POINT I CANNOT ANTICIPATE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHETHER OR NOT CHARGES WILL BE FILED,” said an unnamed DA spokesperson on November 19. That’s legally significant. Being a suspect doesn’t mean charges are coming. Not yet. But it does mean investigators believe there’s enough to justify deep scrutiny.
What Comes Next? Forensics and the Clock Ticks
Detectives are now racing against time. The Tesla’s internal systems store data for only 90 days before overwriting. That window is closing. Digital forensics teams are analyzing the car’s infotainment system, Bluetooth pairing logs, and even the voice assistant history. Did the teen speak to the car? Was there a recording?Meanwhile, social media has exploded. Fans have launched #JusticeFor[Victim] campaigns. Others are defending D4vd, citing his quiet demeanor and lack of prior record. No arrest has been made. No warrant has been publicly issued. But sources say a grand jury could be convened by January if the LAPD submits a strong enough file.
Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines
This isn’t just another celebrity scandal. It’s a chilling reminder of how easily fame can obscure darkness. D4vd’s music often explores isolation, emotional numbness, and hidden pain. Listeners connected with those themes. Now, those same themes are being scrutinized as potential clues.The teen’s family has not spoken publicly. Her name remains withheld at their request. But her absence echoes — in Lake Elsinore, where neighbors still leave flowers at her front door; in the Hollywood Hills, where a Tesla sits in evidence storage; and in the quiet spaces between D4vd’s lyrics, where silence now feels louder than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D4vd under arrest?
No, D4vd has not been arrested as of November 19, 2025. He remains a suspect, not a charged defendant. Authorities have not submitted evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for review, meaning no formal charges have been filed. He has not been detained or questioned under custody.
How did the teen go missing for over a year without anyone noticing?
Lake Elsinore is a city of about 70,000 people, and the teen was 16 at the time of her disappearance. She lived with her mother, who initially thought she was staying with a friend. Schools didn’t report her absent until three weeks later. No 911 call was made. Her phone was last pinged near a gas station on October 12, 2023 — the same day D4vd posted a photo from a nearby concert. That connection is now under review.
Could the Tesla’s data really help solve this?
Absolutely. Tesla vehicles record driving patterns, door openings, cabin audio (if enabled), and even cabin temperature changes. Investigators are analyzing whether the trunk was opened while the car was moving, if the climate control was adjusted during a specific time window, and whether any voice commands were issued — like "open trunk" or "play music" — that might indicate someone was inside. That data is critical.
What’s the timeline for charges?
There’s no set deadline. The LAPD has up to 18 months to file charges in a homicide case. But with the Tesla’s data set to overwrite in early January 2026, investigators are pushing to submit evidence by mid-December. If they don’t, the case could stall — or worse, be dismissed for lack of physical evidence.
Has D4vd’s music been pulled from streaming platforms?
Not officially. Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have not removed his catalog. However, his label, Interscope Records, has paused all promotional activity. His upcoming album release has been indefinitely delayed. Some radio stations have quietly stopped playing his songs, but no public statement has been issued by any platform.
Could the Santa Barbara trip be linked to other disappearances?
Investigators are reviewing three other unsolved missing persons cases in Santa Barbara County between 2023 and 2025. All involved teens who vanished near remote forest roads. None have been connected to D4vd yet, but the geographic overlap is unusual. The FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program has been consulted to determine if patterns exist.
