In a tragic incident, rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, reportedly took his own life in front of his manager following a car accident. The 25-year-old artist was involved in a crash on Thursday on Interstate 85 near Hapeville, Georgia, leading to a series of distressing events.
According to Hapeville Police Chief Bruce Hedley, after the crash, an anxious Wheeler contacted his manager seeking guidance. Despite the crash, the vehicle remained operable, and his manager instructed him to drive to a nearby Hilton Hotel parking lot for assistance.
Upon arrival, Wheeler remained in his car, conversing with his manager through the open window. It was during this exchange that Wheeler shockingly produced a handgun and tragically shot himself, as recounted by Chief Hedley.
The content of their conversation prior to this heart-wrenching moment remains undisclosed, leaving a cloud of mystery around Wheeler’s last moments.
Emergency services were alerted by an off-duty police officer present at the hotel. Wheeler was swiftly transported to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
An off-duty cop working at the hotel called 911 and Wheeler was rushed to Grady Hospital where he was declared dead around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a suicide.
“We are stunned and devastated by the loss of our beloved family member, Janarius “Lil Poppa” Wheeler,” his label, Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group, wrote in a touching post.
“Poppa was more than just a talented artists — he was an ambitious young man with depth beyond his years and endless potential. Our love for him knows no bounds.
“He was one of those rare artists who thoughtfully poured his pain, growth and trust into his art. His passion and authenticity connected and inspired fans from all walks of life.”
The rapper had just released his newest track, “Out Of Town Bae,” last week, sharing a music video on his Instagram account the same day.
He is best known for his hit single “Love & War.”
The artist boasted a discography of more than 10 full-length albums and projects. His most recent, “Almost Normal Again,” dropped in August 2025.
Heartfelt tributes immediately poured in from fans on social media as news of his death spread.
“RIP Lil Poppa one of the greatest talents of our generation,” one distraught X user posted.
“Crazy underrated this album here and this song in particular are some of the best of the last few years. So talented and so young this s–t rlly got me f–ked up.”
