Investigators Probe Series of Murders in Los Angeles Including Former NFL Player’s Death

5 months ago 0

Authorities are currently examining whether a series of four murders involving homeless individuals in Los Angeles, spanning from October to January, are interconnected. These incidents occurred within the vicinity of the 1300 block of East 120th Street in an unincorporated part of Los Angeles, as disclosed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.

Among the victims was former NFL athlete Kevin Johnson, whose death occurred on January 21 at a homeless encampment, according to ABC News affiliate KABC. Johnson, aged 55, succumbed to injuries from blunt force trauma and stab wounds. Authorities confirmed that all four individuals who were murdered resided in nearby homeless encampments.

Law enforcement vehicles at homeless encampment — In this screen capture from a video, law enforcement vehicles are visible at the homeless encampment site in Los Angeles where Kevin Johnson was discovered dead on January 23, 2026. Photo credit: KABC.

The initial incident in this spate of murders within the Compton Creek area was on October 5, 2025. The victim, 52-year-old Michelle Steele, was shot in the head and passed away in the hospital on November 12, 2025. This information was provided by sources familiar with the investigation to KABC.

Following Steele’s murder, 52-year-old homeless man, Octavio Arias, fell victim on December 4 in the same area. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office listed head and neck trauma as the cause of death.

The cycle of violence persisted with the death of Kevin Johnson and subsequently Mauro Alfaro, another homeless individual in his 50s, who was killed on January 26. Alfaro’s cause of death was similar, characterized by blunt force trauma.

Homeless encampment in Los Angeles — Another screen capture from a video shows a homeless encampment in Los Angeles where Kevin Johnson’s body was discovered on January 23, 2026. Credit: KABC.

Investigators are exploring the likelihood that these homicides might have been committed by a single perpetrator. Despite this hypothesis, as of now, no suspects have been identified, according to sources within the L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Detectives are actively seeking to understand the motives behind the killings. They are investigating whether the assailant might harbor animosity toward homeless individuals in the area or if the murders are connected to drug or gang activities. At present, there is no definitive evidence to conclusively link the cases.

“Kevin Johnson, a former defensive lineman, played in the NFL for teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders from 1995 through 1997,” noted KABC.