Robbery Suspect Arrested and Charged in Connection with Murder of Aspiring Rapper, Javonnta "Sirtanky" Murphy Who was Found Dead in a Barel, in Malibu

In a chilling incident that shook the community, a promising young recording artist from the outskirts of the San Fernando Valley met a tragic end. 

Javonnta Murphy, widely known by his stage name Sirtanky, was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, concealed inside a sealed barrel, and discarded in the serene confines of a popular Malibu beach's estuary and nature preserve. 

Authorities have now apprehended two men, Joshua Lee Simmons and Dennis Eugene Vance, in connection with the heinous crime.

Hailing from the sunny suburbs of Sylmar, California, Murphy, aged 32, had recently made strides in the music industry, having released an EP earlier in the year. 

The victim

Known as part of the hip-hop duo Tank & Booq, he was remembered fondly as a kind-hearted individual who did not engage in any gang-related activities, as shared by family friend Patrick Nelson, deeply troubled by the tragedy.

The discovery of Murphy's body, devoid of clothing and relatively preserved, prompted an intensive investigation. The barrel's distinct markings suggested a possible origin from a local printing company, adding a crucial lead in the search for justice. 

Lieutenant Hugo Reynaga of the sheriff's department revealed that the tide's fluctuations might have played a role in the barrel's movement within the lagoon, complicating the initial stages of the investigation.

Simmons, the primary suspect in Murphy's murder, had also been implicated in a failed jewelry store heist in El Monte, captured on surveillance footage. The subsequent circulation of the incriminating video led to Simmons's arrest, followed by formal charges connecting him to the rapper's untimely demise. Alongside the murder charges, Simmons faces additional accusations of criminal threats and attempted robbery.

Presently detained at the L.A. County Men's Central Jail with a substantial bail, Simmons awaits further legal proceedings scheduled for November 3. 

Meanwhile, Vance, accused of aiding Simmons in covering up the crime, has been released on bond pending the ongoing investigation. As the case unfolds, the community mourns the loss of a promising talent, striving for closure and justice in the wake of this senseless tragedy.

[SOURCE]