Family of 'BodyPartz' Rapper Luci4, 23, Breaks Silence After His Passing

He was 23, gaining momentum in underground rap — and then, suddenly, he was gone. Now, as authorities investigate, his family is raising questions about his final hours.

Luci4, born James Dear, reportedly died at a private residence in Los Angeles. Authorities have not yet released his cause of death, and his passing was acknowledged publicly in official records and in messages from those close to him.

Now, between an emotional tribute, an open investigation, and concerns raised by relatives, key details about his final hours remain unresolved.

His Manager's Emotional Announcement

Shortly after his death, Luci4's manager, Kayla G, confirmed the news in a TikTok post, saying she was devastated by the loss and praising him as a leader and creative force while asking for privacy for his family and loved ones.

In a follow-up caption, she added: "Thank you Luci for dedicating this beautiful song to me. Thank you for showing me what it's like to relate to someone so deeply. I love you so so much and I'll never forget you. @Luci4."

She also said in her post that she would always cherish the roses he once gave her, suggesting their connection went far beyond a simple gesture and held a deeper emotional meaning.

The post has since drawn widespread attention online.

What Do We Know About His Cause of Death?

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Luci4, listed under his legal name James Dear, died on February 22, 2026, at a private residence.

His cause of death is currently marked as "deferred," meaning the final determination has not yet been completed, and the status of the case remains open.

Beyond the official findings, his relatives are seeking clarity.

Grandparents Share Concerns

In an interview with TMZ, Luci4's grandparents said he died at a friend's home in Los Angeles and that they still do not know what happened.

They told the outlet they are suspicious about the circumstances, pointing to the fact that his wallet was completely emptied when he was found. They also said they had recently warned him about some of the people he had been spending time with as his fame began to grow.

The same news outlet reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at 11:40 a.m. that day, but he was already deceased upon arrival.

Police were notified and established a crime scene, and law enforcement sources told the outlet the investigation remains ongoing.

As investigators continue their work, attention has also turned to the career he was building.

What We Know About the Artist

Before his death, Luci4 had built a growing following in the underground rap scene, particularly among fans of experimental SoundCloud music.

Also known as Axxturel and 4Jay, he was associated with Sigilkore, a niche subgenre characterized by distorted production, layered effects, and dark, atmospheric tones.

His breakout track "BodyPartz" helped expand his reach beyond core listeners. On Spotify, his artist page reflected a steady stream of releases that blended dark trap elements with heavily processed vocals and high-energy production.

As his name circulated more widely across streaming platforms, his presence in the underground scene continued to grow, marking him as a rising voice in Sigilkore.

His death marks another recent loss within the rap community.

As previously reported, the hip-hop world is in shock after devastating news about one of its rising Southern stars. Lil Poppa, the Jacksonville, Florida-born rapper whose emotional lyrics won over thousands, has died at the age of 25.

A Rising Star Gone Without Warning

Signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG), the rapper built a steady following with heartfelt tracks like "Love & War," "Mind Over Matter," and "HAPPY TEARS."

Just last August (2025), he dropped his 16-song album, "Almost Normal Again." And in what now feels heartbreakingly surreal, he released a brand-new single titled "Out of Town Bae" just this past Friday, on February 13, 2026.

Even more shocking? Lil Poppa was scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month. At only 25 years old, the young rapper appeared to be entering a major new phase of his career, making the sudden news of his death even more difficult to process.

According to TMZ, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia confirmed that the artist — born Janarious Mykel Wheeler — was pronounced dead at 11:23 AM ET on February 18, 2026.

Yes, the exact time of his passing is known. But in a twist that has left fans stunned, his cause of death has not been immediately released, leaving many searching for answers. The news hits especially hard considering how active Lil Poppa had been in recent months.

A Mother’s Faith-Filled Cry as She Grieves the Loss of Her Son

In the hours after the heartbreaking news broke, Lil Poppa's mother shared an emotional response that has left fans in tears. Taking to Instagram, Monica Martin reposted a memory from six years ago, and the timing could not have felt more haunting.

"Lord I need you I no that this is just a test you say you will not put no more on us then we can bear Jesus!!! I need you 24 hours a day i thank you 🙏🏾 [sic]," she wrote in the resurfaced post, originally shared on February 18, 2020.

On the same day news of her son's passing was confirmed, she added another heartbreaking message: "May God bless the family." Her words were simple, but they carried unimaginable weight. The emotional tribute was shared publicly on Instagram by Records, where supporters quickly flooded the comments with prayers and condolences.

The Final Instagram Story

Adding another poignant layer to his sudden passing is the fact that mere hours before his death, Lil Poppa shared what would become his final Instagram Story.

The now-chilling clip appeared to show the rapper driving at night. In the dimly lit video, he sat behind the wheel as text flashed across the screen in separate frames: "you on," "the city," and "hold my."

There was no visible distress in the clip; no obvious sign that anything was wrong... Instead, it looked like a routine late-night drive, the kind he may have done countless times before. And that's what makes it all the more devastating.

Just hours after casually posting for his one million followers, Lil Poppa would be pronounced dead at 11:23 AM ET, a precise timestamp now etched into the minds of grieving supporters.

An Exact Time, an Unknown Cause, and a Career Cut Short

Yet despite knowing the exact time his life ended, the cause of his death remains publicly unknown. Between a grieving mother leaning on faith, a final video that now feels eerily symbolic, and a career that was still unfolding, the loss of Lil Poppa feels both sudden and deeply unfinished.

He was releasing music, planning performances, and seemingly stepping into his next chapter. Now, as fans replay his last Story and hold tight to his lyrics, one painful truth remains: while the clock has stopped, the questions have not.

Now, the "Eternal Living" rapper leaves behind his young son, who was born in 2022, and whom he shares with Toie Roberts, the 23-year-old daughter of A-list Artist Rick Ross.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Lil Poppa's mother and their entire family, Toie, her and Lil Poppa's son, the rapper's friends, community, fans, and all who knew and loved him as they mourn such a significant loss.