The body discovered in a barrel on Malibu Lagoon State Beach in California has been identified.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office reports the deceased was Javonnta Marshann Murphy, aged 32. The official cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
The circumstances surrounding Murphy’s death are still being investigated. Reports from TMZ indicate that the police are exploring a potential link between this case and the 2020 murder of rapper Pop Smoke. Notably, Javonnta’s brother, Jaquan Murphy, had been arrested in connection with Pop Smoke’s murder, though he was later cleared and is being charged in another shooting crime.
Family friend Patrick Murphy shared that Javonnta, who grew up in South Los Angeles, was working towards a career in the rap industry. He highlighted Javonnta’s positive nature and lack of gang affiliations.
On the first of August, a lifeguard found a barrel with a body inside at the lagoon. The LA County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the death upon arrival. Lt. Hugo Reynaga from the LA County Sheriff’s homicide bureau theorized that the barrel might have been carried in by the ocean’s high tide. He also remarked on the body’s preservation, indicating a relatively recent death.
