Homicide investigation launched after ex-Eagles player, 55, found dead near Los Angeles homeless encampment

A homicide investigation is underway in Los Angeles after former Philadelphia Eagles player Kevin Johnson was found dead near a homeless encampment.

Johnson, 55, played in the NFL in the 1990s for the Eagles and Oakland Raiders, after being drafted by the New England Patriots in 1993.

He was discovered on Wednesday morning with head trauma and stab wounds near the 1300 block of East 120th Street, near Central Avenue.

Friends of Johnson who were paying tribute to him on social media alluded to him having struggles during the later years of his life. 

One tribute, from a woman who said she was an old high school friend, claimed she had not seen him since 2019 but would often pray for his wellbeing.

‘The enemy had a tight hold on you with addiction and I had to walk away,’ the friend wrote. ‘We hadn’t talked since 2019 though you’ve tried to reach out but all I could do is pray from a distance.’ 

A mile away from where Johnson was found, Homeland Security said they shot at ‘violent criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, William Eduardo Moran Carballo’ after he ‘weaponzied his vehicle and rammed law enforcement’.

Carballo was not hit and was apprehended after trying to flee on foot, while one officer was injured. It is not yet known if there is any link to Johnson’s death. 

After a college career in Los Angeles and Texas, Johnson was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1993 but was released in the same year. 

After being signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and then by the Oakland Raiders, Johnson’s career got going in 1995 when the Eagles took him off waivers.

In Philadelphia that season, he played 11 times and even made two appearances in playoff games.

He backed it up the following year with 12 appearances in 1996 but was released in December.

The Raiders took him on in 1997 and he played 15 times that season before being released the following March.

MORE TO FOLLOW