Authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine if there are any potential links between the recent death of a man found deceased within a barrel on a Malibu beach and the 2020 homicide of rapper Pop Smoke. The body of the individual found in the barrel has been identified as Javonnta Murphy, who was 32 years old at the time of his death. His body was discovered on July 31, encased in a 55-gallon barrel that was floating near the Pacific Coast Highway bridge.
Interestingly, Javonnta Murphy’s brother, Jaquan Murphy, who is 24 years old, was one of five individuals arrested in connection with the murder of rapper Pop Smoke, but was subsequently exonerated from the charges related to the rapper’s death. Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was fatally shot during a home invasion robbery in the Hollywood Hills. The police theory suggests that the murder of Javonnta Murphy could potentially be an act of retaliation for the rapper’s murder.
The events surrounding the murder of Pop Smoke unfolded in February 2020 when a group of burglars targeted the rapper after locating his Airbnb location from his social media posts. Around 4 a.m., the suspects forcefully entered the residence and confronted Pop Smoke in his room. The confrontation escalated in the shower, where a 15-year-old assailant pistol-whipped the rapper and shot him three times in the back. The assailants then fled the scene with the rapper’s valuable possessions, including a diamond-adorned Rolex watch that was later sold for $2,000. Unfortunately, Pop Smoke succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the hospital.
In July 2020, it was confirmed that Jaquan Murphy was not implicated in the murder of Pop Smoke, unlike the other four suspects who faced charges. However, the specific role attributed to Jaquan during the incident has not been disclosed by authorities.
Law enforcement is now exploring the possibility that the killing of Javonnta Murphy was a retaliatory act in response to the murder of Pop Smoke. This investigation aims to uncover any potential links between the two cases and determine if there is any connection between Javonnta’s death and the alleged home invasion robbery that led to the rapper’s murder.
As the investigation continues, authorities are likely analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and collecting information to establish a clear motive and gather enough evidence for a potential prosecution. This process can be complex, requiring meticulous attention to detail and cooperation from various sources. It may involve reviewing surveillance footage, conducting forensic examinations, and working closely with forensic experts and other specialists to reconstruct the events leading to both deaths.
Investigating potential links between separate criminal cases requires a thorough examination of the evidence and careful consideration of any connections or associations among individuals involved. It is crucial for authorities to follow all possible leads and explore every avenue, as this can provide valuable insights into solving both cases and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
As the investigation progresses and more information becomes available, authorities will likely provide updates to the public. Any new developments could potentially shed light on the motives, individuals involved, and the overall connection between these two tragic incidents.
In conclusion, authorities are currently investigating potential links between the recent death of Javonnta Murphy, found deceased within a barrel on a Malibu beach, and the 2020 homicide of rapper Pop Smoke. The investigation aims to determine if there is any connection between the two cases and ascertain if Javonnta’s killing was an act of retaliation for the murder of the rapper. As this investigation unfolds, authorities will continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and follow all possible leads to uncover the truth and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
