Former NFL Player Kevin Johnson Found Dead in Los Angeles After Suffering ‘Head Trauma and Stab Wounds’

NEED TO KNOW

• Kevin Johnson, a former defensive tackle in the NFL, was found dead at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles on Jan. 21, according to multiple reports
• Johnson's body was discovered with stab wounds and head trauma and his death is being investigated as a homicide
• Friends of Johnson, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, described him as a "fun-loving" guy

Kevin Johnson, formerly a defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, was found dead in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports.

Johnson, who was 55, was found on Wednesday, Jan. 21, according to Newsweek and Fox29.

The Los Angeles County Coroner reportedly said the former NFL player died as a result of blunt-force stab wounds and head trauma, the outlets reported.

Johnson's body was reportedly discovered at a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area near South Los Angeles. Newsweek said his death is being investigated as a homicide.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Steve De Jong told Newsweek, "Unfortunately it appears he was homeless...It looks like he was probably living there."

When reached for comment by PEOPLE, the Los Angeles County Sheriff said Johnson's death was an active investigation and that they did not have additional info to share at this time.

According to ABC7, authorities are asking for witnesses to come forward with more information.

Friends of the former NFL player spoke to ABC 7 on Thursday, Jan. 22, revealing that Johnson suffered from health issues later in his life.

"He was my best friend. I was best man at his wedding," Bruce Todd told ABC7, calling Johnson a "great guy" who was "fun-loving."

"The community is going to miss him," Todd added.

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Johnson's friends also told the outlet that he may have been suffering from Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a condition caused by repeated head injuries that is often found in the brains of people who played football or other contact sports, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition can only be diagnosed after death.

Johnson was a native of Los Angeles. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1993. After he finished his career in the NFL, he played in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators and Los Angeles Avengers.

Read the original article on People