Full Notification

On October 3, 2023, Joshua Lee Simmons and Dennis Eugene Vance were arrested in connection with the murder of Javonnta Marshann Murphy, whose deceased body was recovered inside a barrel in the Malibu Lagoon State Beach.  During the investigation it was learned that Joshua Simmons was also responsible for an Attempted Robbery in the City of El Monte.

On October 5, 2023, they were arraigned, and charges were filed against 37-year-old Joshua Lee Simmons and 41-year-old Dennis Vance.

Joshua Lee Simmons was charged with Murder – 187 P.C., Personal use of a firearm allegation – 12022.58 P.C., and Criminal Threats – 422(a) P.C.  He was additionally charged with Attempted Robbery – 664/211 P.C., and two counts of Criminal Threats – 422(a) P.C., with a Personal Use of Bear Spray allegation – 12022(b)(1) P.C., in connection with the Attempted Robbery that occurred in the city of El Monte on September 2, 2023.

Dennis Vance was charged with one count of Accessory After the Fact – 32 P.C., in connection with the murder of Javonnta Murphy.

Both suspects in the case are known to be acquaintances of the victim.

At this time the motive of this case is unknown.  Investigators are continuing their investigation.

There is no additional information available at this time.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
 
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 
 
 
Forwarded by:  
Sheriff's Information Bureau 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012
http://www.lasd.org    
213-229-1700  
 

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FIRST UPDATE IS AS FOLLOWS: 
 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide investigators are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death investigation that occurred on July 31, 2023, at approximately 10:10 a.m., on the 23200 block PCH, in the city of Malibu.
 
At approximately 10:10 a.m., a lifeguard from Malibu Beach noticed a 55-gallon plastic barrel drum floating in the lagoon. The lifeguard retrieved the 55-gallon plastic barrel drum, opened it, and discovered a deceased male Black adult, unclothed.
 
There is no additional information available at this time. 
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
 
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 
 
 
Forwarded by:  
Sheriff's Information Bureau 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012
http://www.lasd.org    
213-229-1700  
 

_______________________________________
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS:

DATE:   Monday, July 31, 2023      
                            
REPORTED AT:  10:10 a.m. 
                               
LOCATION:  23200 block PCH, Malibu
  
VICTIM:  Male Adult
  
SUSPECT:  Unknown
  
UNIT:  Homicide Bureau – Lieutenant Reynaga
 
NARRATIVE:  
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives are responding to a death investigation that occurred on July 31, 2023 at approximately 10:10 a.m., on the 23200 block PCH, in the city of Malibu.
 
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. 
 
There is no additional information available at this time. 
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
 
Forwarded by:  
Sheriff's Information Bureau 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012  
http://www.lasd.org    
213-229-1700  
   

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Robert Luna, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department