Crocs and Hollister yanked pop star D4vd from their latest marketing campaigns after a decomposing body was discovered in a Tesla registered to his name at a Los Angeles tow yard.
The brands pulled promotional images of D4vd from their websites and social media pages, just days after unveiling him as the face of their “Dream Drop” collaboration.
“We are aware of this developing story,” the companies said in a joint statement to Footwear News.
“With respect to the current situation, we have removed campaign content featuring D4vd while the investigation continues.”
The campaign debuted Sept. 3 and showcased D4vd modeling Crocs clogs and Hollister apparel in coordinated pastel looks. Product images remain online, but Burke’s likeness has been scrubbed.
“I can’t say I’m surprised by the decision to remove D4vd from the campaign,” Scott Krady, founder and CEO of Magnitude, an integrated marketing/comms consulting firm, told The Post.
“Given the potential impact on Crocs and Hollister’s reputations, it’s probably a safe course of action from a brand image perspective.”
Krady told The Post that by keeping D4vd on board, “the new campaign could be at risk due to the investigation and, perhaps more importantly, association with it could harm their brand and consequently relationships with customers.”
“All of that adds the potential to really hurt their bottom lines.”
The Los Angeles Police Department said officers were called to the 1000 block of North Mansfield Avenue around 12:30 p.m. on Monday after workers at the Hollywood impound lot reported a foul odor coming from the electric car.
Inside the trunk of the vehicle, cops found human remains sealed inside a bag. Authorities said the Tesla had been at the tow yard for several days before the grisly discovery.
The victim is a woman, approximately 5’2″, with wavy black hair, found wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow bracelet, stud earrings, and bearing a ‘Shhhh’ tattoo.
The car is registered in Texas to David Anthony Burke — the 19-year-old singer known professionally as D4vd.
The LAPD said the investigation is active and ongoing. The identity of the deceased has not been released, and detectives have not publicly linked the musician to foul play.
The singer shot to prominence with viral hits “Here With Me” and “Romantic Homicide,” which racked up billions of streams on Spotify. His sophomore album “Withered” was released in April, with a deluxe edition slated to drop Sept. 19.
Burke has been a fixture on the touring circuit, opening for SZA on her “S.O.S.” arena trek and performing at Valentino’s men’s fashion show in Milan. His current “Withered 2025 World Tour” has played major venues across North America, with upcoming dates in Europe and Asia.
In July, Fortnite tapped D4vd’s single “Locked & Loaded” as the first official anthem for its Global Championship, cementing his crossover appeal with gaming audiences.
This summer he also teamed up with K-pop star Hyunjin of Stray Kids on the duet “Always Love” and collaborated with Australian indie singer Hannah Bahng on “L.O.V.E.U.”
Concert reviews from outlets including Soundcheck SF praised elaborate visuals, immersive set design and the emotional arc of his recent performances. Tickets for the world tour have ranged from $50 to $350, with sellouts reported in Los Angeles, Denver and New York.
Burke’s rise has been fueled by TikTok virality and word-of-mouth among Gen Z listeners. Since breaking out in 2022, he has signed with Interscope Records and amassed a devoted following that propelled him into mainstream pop stardom.
LAPD officials said the Tesla was impounded prior to the body’s discovery, though they did not specify why the vehicle was towed. Investigators are working to identify the victim and determine the cause of death.
Police confirmed the body was badly decomposed when found. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office is expected to conduct an autopsy.
Crocs and Hollister had touted their “Dream Drop” collection as a milestone — the first collaboration between the brands. Marketing materials described D4vd as the perfect fit, citing his influence across music, fashion and youth culture.
Neither Burke nor his representatives have commented publicly on the police probe or his removal from the campaign. His official website still lists upcoming tour dates, including shows in Berlin, Paris and London later this month.
D4vd’s label has not issued a statement.
The LAPD said no arrests have been made and further details will be released pending the coroner’s report.
The investigation remains open.
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