Los Angeles police said Wednesday that detectives are continuing a death investigation after a body was found inside a Tesla registered to the musician known professionally as d4vd. Authorities confirmed to CBS News that the vehicle was recovered by investigators and that forensic teams have been processing the scene, while an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending to determine cause and manner of death.

Officials have not released the identity of the deceased or detailed circumstances surrounding how the individual came to be in the car. Police said no arrests have been made and that d4vd — the viral artist whose songs built a large online following — is cooperating with investigators. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department declined to offer a timeline for the probe, saying only that detectives were reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements and digital evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The case has ignited an immediate and combustible reaction on social media, where graphic images and speculative reports began circulating within hours of the initial news alerts. Platform moderators and artists’ teams moved quickly to request removals, underscoring the recurring problem of viral content spreading ahead of verification. Media ethicists and privacy advocates argue such diffusion can compromise investigations, traumatize victims’ families and inflame public opinion before facts are established.

For d4vd — an artist who rose to prominence through short-form streaming platforms and whose aesthetic blends intimate lyricism with lo-fi production — the episode raises questions about the vulnerabilities of internet-born fame. His rapid ascent through algorithm-driven discovery made him a touchstone for a younger audience that often engages with artists directly online. Industry sources say labels and promoters are increasingly attuned to the security and mental-health needs of such artists, but that infrastructures have lagged behind the pace of celebrity growth.

“This incident forces a re-examination of how the industry responds when private tragedy collides with public curiosity,” said a music-business consultant who asked not to be named. “There’s a responsibility among platforms, management teams and media outlets to prioritize humane reporting and rapid support for everyone affected.”

The business implications are immediate. Promoters and streaming platforms monitor incidents involving artists closely, weighing reputational damage and liability. While record deals and streaming contracts can insulate some revenue streams in the short term, extended legal entanglements or sustained negative publicity can alter marketing plans, touring schedules and sponsorship relationships. In recent years the industry has also faced increased pressure from advocates demanding stronger protections for artists on tour and active moderation of abusive content online.

Beyond commerce, the episode taps into broader social anxieties: the normalization of real-time spectacle, the erosion of privacy for public figures, and the uneven response of institutions to crises unfolding online. Mental health professionals say the viral nature of such events can deepen grief and complicate recovery for fans and families alike.

As officials continue to piece together the facts, advocates called for restraint. “Until investigators release verified information, the public ought to resist speculation that harms people already caught in a painful situation,” a spokesperson for a media-ethics nonprofit said. The LAPD said it will provide updates as new information becomes available.