Man, 32, found dead in 55-gallon drum at Malibu Lagoon beach is identified

MALIBU — A 32-year-old man whose body was discovered inside a 55-gallon drum on a beach in Malibu was identified Wednesday.

Javonnta Murphy was identified as the victim by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office.

Authorities went to the 23200 block of Pacific Coast Highway about 10:30 a.m. Monday after learning that a lifeguard spotted the drum in the ocean and brought it to shore, then opened it and saw the body inside it, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A sheriff’s official told reporters at the scene that the same barrel had been seen in the water at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Sunday night by sanitation workers, but they were unable to retrieve it.

Anyone with information regarding this case was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous callers may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to lacrimestoppers.org.