Former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson was found dead at a homeless encampment in Willowbrook, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, citing blunt head trauma and stab wounds as the cause of death.
Johnson, 55, was discovered in the 1300 block of East 120th Street shortly before 8 a.m. PT after deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received a call about an unconscious man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made in connection with the death, and investigators continue to seek information from potential witnesses.
Authorities believe Johnson had been living at the encampment at the time of his death. Friends of the former football player told reporters that health issues in recent years had contributed to his homelessness. “He was my best friend. I was best man at his wedding… Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him,” Bruce Todd said. Friends also expressed concern that Johnson may have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease commonly associated with repeated head trauma in football players.
Born October 30, 1970, Johnson was a Los Angeles native who attended Westchester High before playing at Los Angeles Harbor College and Texas Southern University. At Texas Southern, a historically Black university, Johnson played alongside future Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan, forming part of a formidable defensive line.
The New England Patriots selected Johnson in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft as a 6-foot-1, 305-pound defensive tackle. After being released by the Patriots and spending brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers in August 1995.
Johnson found his professional footing in Philadelphia, where he played 23 games over two seasons in 1995 and 1996. During his time with the Eagles, he recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks while becoming a reliable presence on the defensive line. In a memorable 1995 game, Johnson returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown, showcasing his athleticism and awareness. He also appeared in two playoff games at the end of that season as the Eagles made their postseason push.
The defensive tackle’s NFL career continued with the Oakland Raiders in 1997, where he played 15 games during his final season in the league. Johnson’s professional football career extended beyond the NFL when he transitioned to the Arena Football League, where he found considerable success.
Johnson joined the Orlando Predators in 1998, helping the team win the ArenaBowl championship that year. He later played for the Los Angeles Avengers, another Arena Football League team, extending his professional career and maintaining his connection to his hometown community.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, has become a central concern in discussions about football safety and player health. The condition, which can only be definitively diagnosed after death through brain tissue examination, has been linked to memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, depression, and difficulty with impulse control. Many former NFL players have been found to have CTE upon posthumous examination, leading to increased awareness and changes in how the sport addresses head injuries.
The homeless encampment where Johnson was found reflects a broader crisis facing Los Angeles and many major American cities. Willowbrook, located in South Los Angeles, has seen significant growth in unhoused populations in recent years. The area struggles with limited resources for mental health services and housing assistance, creating vulnerable conditions for those living without permanent shelter.
Lt. Steve De Jong confirmed to reporters the tragic circumstances of the case. “Unfortunately it appears he was homeless,” he said. “It looks like he was probably living there.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the homicide and is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the department’s Homicide Bureau. Investigators have not released details about potential suspects or whether they have identified any persons of interest in connection with Johnson’s death.
Johnson’s career spanned a transitional period in NFL history when awareness of concussion protocols and long-term brain health was far less developed than today. Players from his era often continued playing through injuries that would now result in mandatory evaluations and time away from the field. The cumulative impact of those practices has become evident as more former players from the 1990s and early 2000s face health challenges in middle age.
The investigation into Johnson’s death remains active as authorities work to piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter at the homeless encampment. The location, situated approximately 10 miles east of Los Angeles International Airport, has been the site of other violent incidents as residents living without permanent housing face increased vulnerability to crime.
