Rapper Luci4 Passed Away at the Age of 23 – Police Investigation Is Ongoing

The music world is reeling after the sudden loss of a rising star, but the full story behind his final hours is far from clear. And as new details emerge, the mystery only deepens…

Rapper Luci4, the internet sensation who turned a niche sound into a viral movement, has died at the tender age of 23, after beginning to build a prolific music career and huge following.

A Viral Star Gone Too Soon

According to TMZ, the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirmed that the artist — born James Dear — passed away on February 22, 2026. However, at this time, his cause of death remains unknown.

Luci4 reportedly died at a friend's house in Los Angeles, leaving loved ones in shock. But it's what happened in the hours surrounding his death that's raising serious questions…

His grandparents, who confirmed his demise to the outlet, admitted they still don't know what exactly happened. And heartbreakingly, they say they had recently warned him about the people he'd been spending time with as his fame skyrocketed.

From Sigilkore Pioneer to Mainstream Breakout

As Luci4's career began to take off, so did their concerns. The 23-year-old had exploded onto the scene as a pioneer of the internet microgenre sigilkore, building a massive following on TikTok in 2021. His unique aesthetic and hypnotic beats quickly set him apart from the crowd.

Then came his breakout hit, released in 2021.

"BodyPartz" didn't just trend; it dominated. The track went viral across social media platforms and was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

That momentum led to a major milestone: Luci4 landed a deal with Atlantic Records, signaling that his underground buzz had officially crossed into mainstream territory.

Everything seemed to be lining up for the young artist… But behind the scenes, something wasn't right.

A Morning 911 Call That Changed Everything

On February 22, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at a home around 11:40 a.m. What they encountered when they arrived would change everything. Officials say that by the time first responders reached the house, the individual was already deceased.

Up until that moment, there had reportedly been no clear confirmation about his condition. It wasn't until authorities arrived at the scene that the devastating reality became undeniable.

Police were immediately notified. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that officers set up a crime scene upon arrival, and an investigation is now ongoing. At this point, it remains unclear whether foul play is suspected, and that uncertainty has only fueled speculation.

The Disturbing Detail About His Wallet

And then came another troubling detail…

Luci4's grandparents claim that when they recovered his belongings, his wallet had been completely emptied. The discovery has left them deeply suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Now, they say they are waiting for answers from investigators and hoping for clarity in a situation that feels anything but clear.

A Promising Future Suddenly Cut Short

For fans who watched him rise from internet obscurity to certified hitmaker, the loss is staggering. At just 23, Luci4 was only beginning to tap into his full potential. His passing marks a sudden and heartbreaking halt to a career that felt destined for even greater heights.

And as authorities continue piecing together what happened inside that Los Angeles home, the music community is left mourning not only the artist Luci4 became, but the future he never got to finish writing.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Luci4's grandparents, their entire family, loved ones, his friends, community, and fans, as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Luci4.

As the industry processes this devastating loss, it comes on the heels of another tragic headline involving Rapper Lil Poppa, a somber reminder of how fragile life can be in the spotlight. The Jacksonville, Florida-born rapper whose emotional lyrics won over thousands 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 had left fans stunned, his cause of death had not been immediately released, which initially left many searching for answers.

However, since preliminary news of his passing surfaced, it was then reported that Lil Poppa took his own life after a car crash. According to authorities, he grabbed a handgun, put it to his head, and pulled the trigger. 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 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.

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. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Lil Poppa.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.