An aspiring rapper who was discovered lifeless inside a barrel at Malibu Lagoon State Seaside was shot within the head, based on a brand new report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.
The sufferer, recognized as 32-year-old Javonnta Murphy, was found on July 31 inside a 55-gallon drum floating within the water close to the Pacific Coast Freeway bridge.
The coroner’s report additionally lists Murphy’s explanation for dying as a murder. Murphy was discovered bare and sealed contained in the barrel on the time.
A park upkeep employee first noticed the barrel and paddled out in a kayak to research. Once they tried to pull it to shore, it was too heavy in order that they left it within the water, based on the L.A. Sheriff’s Division.
When a lifeguard arrived at work the following day and noticed the barrel round 10 a.m., they swam out to retrieve it. Once they opened the barrel, that’s after they made the grotesque discovery, authorities stated.
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Javonnta Murphy, 32, an aspiring rapper and musician, seen in a household picture. -
Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division are persevering with to work to search out out the id of the person discovered lifeless inside a 55-gallon drum in Malibu Lagoon on July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
A person’s physique was discovered inside a 55-gallon drum in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
Lifeguards found a physique inside a barrel in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
Lifeguards found the physique inside a drum in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
Lifeguards found a physique inside a barrel in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
Lifeguards found the physique inside a 55-gallon drum on Monday. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
Lifeguards found a physique inside a barrel in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA) -
The physique was discovered inside a 55-gallon plastic drum in Malibu Lagoon. July 31, 2023. (KTLA)
“It didn’t look decomposed or prefer it had been there for a very long time,” stated LASD Lt. Hugo Raynaga.
It’s unclear how lengthy the physique had been contained in the barrel. Authorities additionally added the excessive tide might have carried the barrel into the lagoon from the ocean.
Murphy was an aspiring rapper and musician who dreamed of changing into a profitable artist, the Los Angeles Instances reviews.
He was raised in South Los Angeles with 4 brothers. A household buddy, Patrick Nelson, 46, stated Murphy had simply moved into his first condo in Sylmar when he was killed.
Nelson stated he wasn’t conscious that Murphy frequented the Malibu space and advised the Instances he was an excellent child who wasn’t concerned in gang exercise. He additionally couldn’t consider any potential enemies who may need focused Murphy.
Nelson stated he’ll at all times keep in mind Murphy as an bold younger man with goals of pursuing music.
On the time, beachgoers and surfers within the space have been “deeply involved” and shocked after they discovered of the invention.
“It’s one thing that doesn’t occur fairly often in any respect right here,” one beachgoer advised KTLA. “It’s unthinkable.”
Particulars are restricted because the circumstances surrounding Murphy’s homicide stay below investigation. No suspect info was launched. Detectives are persevering with to look the world for clues, witnesses and surveillance footage which will assist in the investigation.
No additional info was launched. Anybody with info is requested to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Division at 323-267-4800.
