The music world is reeling from the sudden death of 23-year-old rapper Luci4, but his family are now calling for a deeper investigation after noticing “suspicious” injuries to his body.
James Dears, who gained a massive following for his experimental sigil choir sound and viral hit Body partwas found unresponsive in his bedroom in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22.
While the news has devastated his fans, his grandparents, with whom he lived in the Watts neighborhood, believe there is more to the story than a simple accident.
His grandmother, Brenda Dears, made the tragic discovery and tried her best to save him with CPR, but she realized he was already cold.
It was the rapper’s grandfather, also named James Dears, who first informed about his grandson’s physical condition.
He noticed that the young artist had visible bruises that suggested he might have been involved in a fight before he died.
His grandfather described the heartbreaking scene, saying, “He didn’t look right. He had a black eye and his lip was swollen,” according to multiple outlets.
Los Angeles police are investigating the death, and while initial theories in these situations can often lean toward a medical episode, the family’s allegations of wrongdoing have prompted a closer look.
The grandparents struggle to understand the loss, especially since they felt he was in a good place.
His grandfather shared his grief, stating: “My grandson was a good boy. He was just getting his life together. We think something happened to him.”
A prominent figure in the underground rap scene, Luci4 was known for his unique style and tracks like Kurxxed Emeraldz.
Tributes have poured in from around the globe, but for his family, finding out exactly what happened that Sunday night remains a priority.
Authorities are now awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the official cause of death while continuing to investigate the family’s concerns.
