Body Found In Barrel In Malibu Lagoon Identified

August 8, 2023 ·

MALIBU—On Saturday, August 5th, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s department confirmed the cause of death of the man a lifeguard found inside of a 55-gallon drum in a Malibu lagoon on July 31st. The body was identified as 32-year-old, aspiring rapper, Javonnta Rashann Murphy. According to a report by Deputy Medical Examiner, Robyn Parks, the cause of death was homicide. Javonnta Murphy died of a gunshot wound to the head.

TMZ first reported that Javonnta Murphy is the brother of Jaquan Murphy, who is one of five individuals arrested in connection to the 2020 murder of rapper, “Pop Smoke.”

Javonnta Murphy played in the bands Tank and Booq.

Reports indicate that Javonnta Murphy was from South L.A, where he was raised by his mother, and with four brothers. His father, Javonnie Murphy told Los Angeles News that he was “looking for answers,” and “I want to know what happened to my baby.”

Murphy left behind a 10-year-old son, named Marley, that he had with his girlfriend, Venetta Smith.

“My dad, he loved me very much. He would always play music in his car with me and joke around with me. He always talked about how he loved his family,” Marley told ABC 7. The child’s mother also spoke to the same reporters.

“I’m still trying to process who could do this, more than anything because this seems personal. This seems like a vendetta,” Smith stated.

The family of Javonnta Rashann Murphy set up a GoFundMe page in his name.

Canyon News reached out to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office for more information. A Public Information Officer (PIO) named, Kelly, responded to the inquiry stating that, “The case is still open,” and indicated that Canyon News will be added to the distribution list once more information becomes available.

By Sharon

Next Post

Female Suspect With A Gun, Barricaded In Apartment

HOLLYWOOD HILLS— The Los Angeles Police Department has trapped a female suspect with a gun inside a second floor apartment at 1800 El Cerrito Place on Tuesday, August 8, Citizen app reported. The suspect was reportedly in apartment number 46,…
Read
Previous Post

Rodeo Drive Celebrates Fashion

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is celebrating its first annual week-long Rodeo Drive Celebrates Fashion, which kicked off on Monday, August 7th. The event will run thru Sunday, August 13th. The event will highlight the craftsmanship, uniqueness and variety…
Read
Random Post

U.S. National Guard Deployed To Assist With Fires

MALIBU—On Friday, January 10, members of the U.S. Army National Guard, and the U.S. Navy have been deployed to California along with two C-130 planes to assist in fighting the fires that are devastating California. Photo Credit: Lincoln Holley The…
Read
Random Post

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration November 14

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced on its Facebook page on November 9 that it will be celebrating the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on Thursday, November 14. The public is invited to join as Beverly Hills is transformed…
Read
Random Post

BHPD DUI Checkpoint Results

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, September 3, the Beverly Hills Police Department provided Canyon News in an email details of its recent DUI Checkpoint that was held on August 30.A DUI checkpoint was held at North Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Drive…
Read
Random Post

Director Of Community Development David Martin Retiring

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, September 19, the city of Santa Monica Manager David White announced that in December, Director of Community Development David Martin will be retiring. Martin has been a resident of the city since 1988 and a native of…
Read