Overview
- Kevin Johnson, 55, was found Jan. 21 at an encampment along East 120th Street near Compton Creek; the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide from blunt head trauma and stab wounds.
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says four homicides in that vicinity between October 2025 and January 2026 remain under active investigation as detectives assess possible connections.
- Local reporting and medical examiner records identify other victims as Michelle Steele (shot Oct. 5, died Nov. 12), Octavio Arias (head and neck trauma on Dec. 4), and Mauro Alfaro (blunt force trauma on Jan. 26).
- Officials report no concrete evidence linking the cases and no identified suspect, with eight homicide detectives assigned to pursue leads.
- LASD is coordinating with outreach teams, including LAHSA, to canvass encampments and is urging tips to the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.