Potential Link Between Former NFL Player’s Death and Homeless Killings in Los Angeles

The tragic death of ex-NFL player Kevin Johnson appears to be connected to a series of murders involving homeless people within Los Angeles County, according to the authorities on Tuesday.

Details of the Incident

Kevin Johnson, aged 55, was found dead on January 21 at a homeless encampment near a flood control channel in Willowbrook, an area in South Los Angeles. The sheriff’s department reported that Johnson suffered from significant head trauma. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

Related Cases

The sheriff’s department revealed that three additional murders of homeless individuals have occurred near East 120th Street in Willowbrook, all in homeless encampments by the same channel. These homicides took place from October to January and remain unsolved.

“All four victims were unhoused individuals who were living in encampments,” stated the department. “Homicide investigators continue to pursue all investigative leads and remain committed to identifying the individual or individuals responsible for these crimes.”

In efforts to gather more information, detectives are engaging with homeless outreach workers. The department is seeking assistance from anyone with knowledge about the killings.

Kevin Johnson’s Background and Family Tribute

The county medical examiner listed the cause of Johnson’s death as “blunt head trauma and stab wounds.” It is believed that Johnson was living among the homeless community in the encampment. On January 26, another homicide was reported along a nearby riverbed on 120th Street, as per a department statement. Like Johnson’s case, the latest victim was found dead on the scene. However, details on the timing and location of the other two killings are unclear.

Kevin Johnson once played as a defensive lineman primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders during the 1990s. His son, Brendan Johnson, shared fond memories of his father last week, describing him as “loving, caring, and truly joyful.” Brendan recalled his father as selfless and loyal, with an absence that leaves a ‘huge void,’ but he affirmed that Johnson’s spirit lives on among those he touched.

Possible Health Implications

In conversations with friends, it is suggested that Johnson might have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain ailment linked to repetitive brain injuries.

Community Context

The Willowbrook community, recognized for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, is situated just south of Los Angeles and its Watts area. The flood control channel intersecting 120th Street near Elva Avenue is listed as Compton Creek on county maps.

Reporting for NBC News Digital was carried out by Dennis Romero, with contributions from Cristian Santana.