Killing of ex-NFL player Kevin Johnson possibly linked to other murders, LASD says

Kevin Johnson's death possibly linked to serial killer

Former NFL player Kevin Johnson's death is rumored to have been linked to a suspected serial killer.

LOS ANGELES - The death of former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson may be linked to three other murders, the sheriff's department said Tuesday.  

What we don't know:

Johnson was stabbed to death on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 at a homeless encampment in LA County's Willowbrook neighborhood. His death was ruled a homicide. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Kevin Johnson: Former NFL defensive lineman's death being investigated as homicide
• Kevin Johnson’s son breaks silence after father found dead at homeless encampment: 'Heartbreaking tragedy'

Linking four murders 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau said they are actively investigating a series of homicides, all involving unhoused individuals in the same general location of the 1300 block of East 120th Street.

Kevin Johnson's murder possibly linked to 3 others

The LA County Sheriff's Department says all four victims were homeless and living in encampments in the vicinity of the 1300 block of East 120th Street.

The four homicides, which includes Johnson, occurred between October 2025 and January 2026. 

The three other homicide victims were identified as:

• Michelle Steele; the 52-year-old was shot in the head. She died in the hospital on Nov. 12, 2025.
• Octavio Arias; the 52-year-old was murdered on Dec. 4, 2025. According to the Medical Examiner, he suffered blunt head and neck trauma. 
• Mauro Alfaro; the 52-year-old was murdered on January 26, 2026.

Investigators are working to determine whether the cases are related. All four victims were unhoused, living in encampments in the Compton Creek area. 

What they're saying:

Retired LAPD Detective Moses Castillo says investigators usually start looking for a common thread.

"To see did these victims know each other? Or what was the connection, the method of the injury and fatal wound if you will, are they all similar? Are they connected? And you begin to see patterns," said Castillo.

Law enforcement experts say it's important that investigators speak with everyone that lives in the area where the victims were found.

"I think it's important, number one that they establish a rapport with this special population of the unhoused, because if they don't earn their trust, they're not going to speak of anything. Silence protects the killer, so we need you to speak up. If you know something, please tell the authorities," said Castillo.

Johnson's son speaks out 

Dig deeper:

Johnson's son, Branden Johnson, spoke exclusively to FOX 11's Laura Diaz about his father. 

"He was a people person. More so for me and my brother. He loved us all the way to the end."

Brendan says his dad had emotional difficulties and had been homeless for just six months. He said they saw each other all the time. 

Kevin Johnson's son speaks out on father's murder

Investigators say the death of Kevin Johnson may be linked to three other murders in the Willowbrook area. His son Brandon speaks exclusively with FOX 11's Laura Diaz following recent developments.

Brendan eerily recalls his dad telling him about a dead body being discovered at a homeless site just weeks before he was murdered.

"It was around December saying somebody was brutally beaten and wrapped in a blanket. He cut it off, didn’t want to talk about it much, didn’t want me to worry about his safety," Brenden said. 

"My dad wasn’t just a homeless person, he was a human being. My dad was as awesome."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.