Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson was killed inside a homeless encampment earlier this year in a gruesome and horrific manner, officials revealed.
In a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner report released to The California Post on Wednesday, authorities wrote that Johnson suffered skull fractures, brain contusions and a “total of five sharp force wounds” to his neck during his violent death at a homeless encampment near an LA river bed on Jan. 21.
Authorities also claimed Johnson had traces of phencyclidine, aka angel dust, and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his passing.
Law enforcement wrote in the report that officers were called to the grisly scene at around 8 a.m., after a friend of Johnson had discovered him face down, unresponsive and covered by a tarp and other debris.
A blood-soaked shovel, a crutch and a broken broom stick were all found near Johnson’s body, according to the report. “Part of a cut tree” as well as a “rock/brick” that was “covered in apparent blood” were also discovered.
Johnson, the report states, had multiple fatal blunt injuries, including brain fragmentation and “severe” intracerebral hemorrhaging. He also suffered a fatal injury to his left carotid artery.
The medical examiner officially ruled the manner of his death a homicide.
According to the report, Johnson’s family members informed investigators that Johnson was “an ex-NFL player but had been living a homeless lifestyle.”
“He had a history of illicit drug use (methamphetamines),” authorities added in the report, “and was using a catheter bag. He was not in the best health but could get around slowly with the assistance of crutches.”
Johnson, who played three season in the NFL in the 1990s, was 55 years old.
In March, cops revealed they were investigating whether Johnson’s death was connected to three separate murders of homeless people living in Los Angeles’ Compton Creek, although on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told The Post they had no updates on the matter.
