Authorities are working to determine possible connections between the murder of rapper Pop Smoke in 2020 and a body found in a barrel at a Malibu beach. The body, identified as 32-year-old Javonnta Murphy, was discovered on July 31 floating near the Pacific Coast Highway bridge inside a 55-gallon barrel.
Interestingly, Javonnta Murphy’s younger brother, Jaquan Murphy, was one of five people arrested in connection with Pop Smoke’s murder, which resulted from a home-invasion robbery. Although initially arrested for attempted murder, Jaquan was later exonerated of the charges.
Investigators are now exploring whether Javonnta’s death was a retaliatory act for the rapper’s murder. Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was believed to have been targeted by robbers after his social media posts revealed the location of his Airbnb rental.
The suspects in Pop Smoke’s case were identified as members of a South Los Angeles gang, including Jaquan Murphy, Corey Walker, Keandre D. Rodgers, and two unnamed juveniles. Despite the charges against the other four, Jaquan Murphy was not charged in the murder.
The discovery of Javonnta Murphy’s body has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation. His body was found naked and with a gunshot wound to the head, sealed inside a large barrel. Authorities are yet to determine how long the body had been inside the barrel and its place of origin.
Javonnta Murphy was an aspiring rapper and musician who had recently moved into his first apartment in Sylmar. Those close to him have expressed shock and disbelief at his death, describing him as a good kid uninvolved in gang activity.
As the investigation continues to unfold, anyone with information is urged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department at 323-267-4800.