Renowned New York City DJ, Reda Briki, who had been missing for three weeks, was found dead on a houseboat in Queens, according to sources. The 52-year-old was discovered unresponsive in the cabin of a boat moored at Newton Creek Marina on Greenpoint and Railroad avenues on a Sunday afternoon. Briki, a celebrated electronic dance music producer and co-founder of Love that Fever, was declared dead at the scene. His friends, who had initiated an extensive search after his last sighting on June 14, believe he may have died weeks prior.
Briki’s friend, Tim Fielding, expressed his grief on a Facebook post on Tuesday, remembering the DJ’s multiple talents, positive attitude, amazing skillset, and cheeky humor. He wrote, “We are heartbroken to share that Reda Briki passed away in June 2025.” Fielding continued, “This news may come as a shock, and we know Reda meant many things to many people – a friend, a brother, a fellow creative spirit. He had a wild and beautiful energy, and he moved through the world in his own unique way. He made a lot of people happy with his music.”
Fielding also shared a personal memory of Briki, recalling how just five weeks ago, they were together at a festival in Devon, where Briki was “living his best life” and taking people on a “deep tribal house journey.” He ended his tribute with a heartfelt farewell, “Gone too soon. Safe travels back to the music, brother. RIP.”
Sources suggest that Briki may have died about a week before his body was found. There were no apparent signs of trauma, and it is not immediately believed that he was a victim of a crime. The cause and manner of Briki’s death are pending further investigation, according to the Medical Examiner’s office.
In the weeks following his disappearance, friends and fans made desperate attempts to locate Briki, who was last seen DJing at Maison Harlem, a French bistro in West Harlem. They distributed fliers and took to social media in their search efforts.
Briki, originally from French Algiers, was a respected figure in the electronic dance music scene for nearly two decades. His biography on his website describes him as a trailblazer who was influenced by the rich electric influences of tribal percussion, pumping rhythms, pulsing beats, and thumping grooves from his upbringing in Parisian club culture. His passion for house music led him to a successful career that spanned over 18 years, during which he became known for his original music and event productions.
Briki’s death marks the fourth body recovered from Newton Creek in the last two years. The police, who have not publicly identified Briki, stated that the investigation is ongoing.