Los Angeles County detectives are investigating whether the death of former NFL player Kevin Johnson, who was found dead on January 21 at a homeless encampment in Willowbrook, is linked to three other killings of unhoused people in the same area over the past four months.
Johnson, a 55-year-old native Angeleno, played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death due to blunt head trauma and stab wounds. He was not just another victim of homelessness but also an athlete who had struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his life.
The LAPD confirmed that between October 2025 and January 2026, four homicides occurred in the same area and are currently under investigation by the Homicide Bureau. The victims were all unhoused individuals living in encampments nearby. While investigators have not yet determined if these cases are related to Johnson's death, they are working diligently to uncover any potential connections.
The latest killing that has prompted an investigation was a man who was found dead near the flood control channel in the same area last week. Detectives were called to the scene once again and are now working to piece together the evidence and find out if it is linked to Johnson's death or part of the larger pattern of violence.
Johnson's son, Branden, expressed his desire for swift justice during an emotional interview with CBS LA. He described his father as more than just a professional athlete but also someone who had struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his life.
Anyone with further information on these cases is urged to come forward and contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Johnson, a 55-year-old native Angeleno, played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death due to blunt head trauma and stab wounds. He was not just another victim of homelessness but also an athlete who had struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his life.
The LAPD confirmed that between October 2025 and January 2026, four homicides occurred in the same area and are currently under investigation by the Homicide Bureau. The victims were all unhoused individuals living in encampments nearby. While investigators have not yet determined if these cases are related to Johnson's death, they are working diligently to uncover any potential connections.
The latest killing that has prompted an investigation was a man who was found dead near the flood control channel in the same area last week. Detectives were called to the scene once again and are now working to piece together the evidence and find out if it is linked to Johnson's death or part of the larger pattern of violence.
Johnson's son, Branden, expressed his desire for swift justice during an emotional interview with CBS LA. He described his father as more than just a professional athlete but also someone who had struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his life.
Anyone with further information on these cases is urged to come forward and contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
it's like, one day he's just chillin' in his car and next thing you know he's dead 
and now we got these other people dying too? it's like they're being targeted or somethin'. i feel bad for branden, his son, he must be livin' through this all and it's a lot to handle 
. LAPD needs to get on the case ASAP and find out what's goin' on 
. This ain't just about homeless people dyin', it's about community and makin' sure everyone feels safe 
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and now they're linking it to Kevin Johnson's death... this is just devastating 
. 4 people in the same area, all homeless, all dead... it's like a deadly pattern is emerging 
. hope they can catch these bad guys soon 
, a former nfl player struggling with addiction and mental health issues and now he's just another victim of homelessness 
, i feel for his son Branden, my heart goes out to him 
, the police should do everything they can to catch these people who did this to innocent lives 
not just physical harm but also emotional toll it takes on people's lives. Johnson was more than just an athlete, he had struggles like many others living in the shadows 
and his story could've been different if we had better support systems in place 
to help those struggling with addiction & mental health. let's raise awareness & funds to tackle this issue head-on 
I'm glad the authorities are taking these deaths seriously, especially since Kevin Johnson was more than just a victim of homelessness - he was a talented athlete who struggled with addiction and mental health issues his whole life. However, I do worry that we're not doing enough to address the root causes of homelessness in LA. 
These killings might be linked, but it's also possible that we need to look at other factors like poverty, lack of affordable housing, and inadequate mental health services.
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