A U.S. pope, a political assassination, and a musician's arrest tied to a teen's death dominated top 2025 searches.

The top five people searches in 2025 were shaped by political violence, tragic deaths, and historic religious milestones. The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah event drew widespread attention, with his widow Erika Kirk taking over Turning Point USA and endorsing Vice President JD Vance. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, was linked to the shooting, with reports of a political shift and family conflict. Musician d4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, became a top search after the discovery of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body in his car, making him a suspect without an arrest. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago native and former Vatican official, was elected Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope—following Pope Francis’ passing, delivering a historic Christmas Mass focused on global peace.