The father of a 23-year-old rapper who died last month in Los Angeles lives in Maricopa, where the family has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs.

James Dear IV, an up-and-coming musician who performed under the name Luci4, died Feb. 22 at a friend’s home in Los Angeles. Authorities have not determined the cause of death.

Dear’s father, 45-year-old James Dear III, lives in the Maricopa Meadows neighborhood, according to public records. The local family launched a GoFundMe campaign from Maricopa seeking help with funeral expenses, as first reported by TMZ.

“James was more than a musician or a content creator; he was a cherished son, grandson, nephew, brother, cousin and friend,” the fundraiser reads. “He touched the lives of so many with his creativity, kindness and desire to share with others.”

Los Angeles firefighters responded to a medical call at the home around 11:40 a.m. on Feb. 22 and found Dear deceased upon arrival, according to published reports. His death is under investigation, and the Los Angeles medical examiner has listed the cause as deferred pending further review.

Dear’s family has said they want more information about the circumstances surrounding his death. Officers reached out to Dear’s grandmother to “inquire about his mental welfare and had concerns that he may have been under the influence,” his father told TMZ from Maricopa, “and she was told he would be taken to the hospital due to alleged “erratic behavior and for his safety.”

About 20 minutes later, Dear called his grandmother to say he was no longer detained and planned to stop by her home for fresh clothes if he could not catch another flight, his father told TMZ. He never arrived. The next day, he was found dead.

His manager, Kayla G, confirmed the death publicly in a message posted online.

“He was truly a leader, a king and a musician and a genius,” she wrote. “There’s nobody like him and there will never be.”

Known for his viral track Bodypartz, Dear rose to prominence through TikTok and SoundCloud before signing with Atlantic Records. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2024.

He was also associated with the internet-born rap microgenre sigilkore, blending trap, electronic sounds and cloud rap influences.

The family’s fundraiser asks supporters to help cover funeral costs and honor Dear’s memory.

“Our family is heartbroken by this loss,” states the campaign, which had raised $3,345 of $5,500 Monday afternoon. “Any amount of donation is appreciated beyond measure and will help us honor his memory and give him the farewell he deserves.”