DOES LA HAVE ANOTHER SERIAL KILLER?|Crime Alert Recap Saturday 02.07.26
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. Does LA have another serial killer? Until the death of former NFL star Kevin Johnson, nobody paid much attention to a string of murders taking place in the Compton Creek area of Los Angeles. The notorious camp along the LA River is known for being dangerous, but the homeless population being what it is around LA, many people will stay wherever they can, which is how 55-year-old Kevin Johnson found the camp. A fourth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1993, Johnson spent three years in the NFL in the mid-'90s for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, then four years in arena football before hanging up his cleats. Johnson's son, Brandon, is speaking out about his father's death, suggesting health issues have plagued the former athlete, possibly contributing to his housing instability.
Brandon says his father found the homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area along the L.A.
Does recent violence in the Compton Creek encampment suggest a new serial killer in LA?
River south of L.A. about six months before his murder. Johnson was found dead in the encampment on January 21st with stab wounds and what the sheriff's department described as head trauma.
Who was Kevin Johnson and how did his death draw attention to the Willowbrook homeless camp?
The camp is now tied to at least three other murders and it's possible the same person is behind all four killings. On October 5th, 52-year-old Michelle Steele, shot in the head, dies a month later in the hospital. Shortly after the death of Steele, on December 4th, Octavio Arias, also 52, beaten to death. And just last week, Mauro Alfaro, a man in his mid-50s, bludgeoned to death. The medical examiner ruled the death of Kevin Johnson a homicide from blunt head trauma and stab wounds. Johnson's son, Brandon, helped investigators identify his father's body at the scene. Describing his father as his best friend, Brandon says his dad was a loving, gentle person. It's not clear why the former defensive lineman, who once played at the elite level of sport in the NFL, was out on the streets.
But friends suggested he was suffering from CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma. Johnson's ex-wife, Chantel Hill, says of her former husband, "...he wasn't the type of person that would touch a fly. He had no anger in his heart, no evil. That just was not him." Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the killings.
More crime and justice news after this.
The murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during his speech at a Utah College campus quickly gained widespread attention online, racking up millions of views. On Tuesday, screenshots from these videos were presented as evidence in the murder trial of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of Kirk's death. However, the full video footage was not displayed in court due to objections from defense attorneys who argued that it could jeopardize Robinson's right to a fair trial. Legal experts, including Valerie Hans of the Cornell Law School, affirms that such concerns are valid. They noted that extensive media coverage in high profile cases can create a significant, quote, biasing effect on potential jurors.
There's a plethora of content related to the murder, including videos, images, and analysis of how the defendant turned himself in, Hans explained, emphasizing that jurors exposed to such media narratives may interpret courtroom evidence differently. The defense team is also advocating for the exclusion of television and still cameras from the courtroom, claiming that, quote, highly biased news outlets could influence the case's integrity. In contrast, prosecutors, representatives for news organizations and Kirk's widow are urging State District Judge Tony Graff to maintain an open courtroom. Erica's attorney expressed concern in a court filing, saying without transparency, there is a risk of speculation, misinformation and conspiracy theories, which could undermine public trust in the judicial system.
Robinson, 22, faces aggravated murder charges in the shooting of Kirk on September 10 at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, with prosecutors planning to pursue the death penalty.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:59
2
Does recent violence in the Compton Creek encampment suggest a new serial killer in LA?
0:59–1:11
3
Who was Kevin Johnson and how did his death draw attention to the Willowbrook homeless camp?
1:11–8:15
4
Which other deaths are linked to the LA River camp and could they be connected?
8:15–10:11
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
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