Former NFL Player Kevin Johnson Killed at Homeless Encampment, Medical Examiner Says
Kevin Johnson, 55, died from blunt head trauma and stab wounds at a homeless encampment; officials are investigating his death as a homicide with no suspects named.
- On Jan. 22, 2026, Kevin Johnson, former NFL defensive lineman, 55, was found dead at a homeless encampment near the 1300 block of East 120th Street, with blunt head trauma and stab wounds ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office.
- Deputies responded just before 8 a.m. to a report of an unconscious man, and Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene; investigators believe he had been living at the encampment.
- A fourth-round pick in 1993, Johnson's career included playing 38 NFL games from 1995-97 with 54 tackles and seven sacks, plus an Arena Football League championship with the Orlando Predators.
- The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department opened a homicide investigation after the medical examiner's findings; investigators are canvassing the area, reviewing nearby surveillance footage, and asking witnesses to come forward.
- Across the NFL community, fans expressed shock while friends linked Johnson's struggles to possible CTE, with neuroscientist Chris Nowinski urging, 'We need to keep talking about CTE.
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Kevin Johnson, former Philadelphia Eagles DL, killed at California homeless encampment, medical examiner says
By CBS Bay Area Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson died from “blunt head trauma and stab wounds” at a homeless encampment, according to the medical examiner. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Johnson, 55, was pronounced dead Wednesday morning after being found unconscious. His death was ruled a homicide and is being investigated. A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 1993, Johnson spent time with the Patr…
JUST IN: Former NFL Player Kevin Johnson Killed in Violent Attack at Los Angeles Homeless Encampment
Former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson, who played brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, was found dead on Wednesday at a South Los Angeles homeless encampment after a violent attack. Johnson was found in the 1300 block of East 120th Street, per ABC 6.
Ex-NFL player Kevin Johnson found slain in L.A. homeless camp
Former NFL defensive tackle Kevin Johnson died tragically at age 55 in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Johnson’s death a homicide, caused by blunt head trauma and stab wounds. He was found unconscious at a homeless encampment where friends said he had been living, following health struggles in later years that may have included chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A Los Angeles native, Johnson played co…
The Los Angeles authorities opened an investigation after the brutal death of the former American football player, passed through several NFL clubs in the 1990s. His body bore traces of violence, he was...
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