California Man Charged with Murder After Dating App Encounter

A man from California, Rocky Prowell, is facing serious charges, including two counts of murder, after allegedly using a dating app to lure victims to fatal meetings. Prosecutors in Los Angeles have detailed how Prowell, 34, managed to connect with individuals online, leading to tragic outcomes.

Prowell, who is based in Inglewood, has additional charges against him, including attempted murder, attempted carjacking, and multiple counts of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. These charges stem from specific incidents involving two victims.

The first victim, Miguel Angel King, aged 51, reportedly arranged a meeting with Prowell through an undisclosed dating app on July 20, 2021. Prosecutors claim that Prowell murdered King and subsequently stole his car, with forensic evidence linking him directly to the crime.

Almost a month later, on August 14, 2021, King’s body was discovered in the Angeles National Forest.

Fast forward nearly two years, and the second victim, Robert Gutierrez, 53, also connected with Prowell on a dating app. They agreed to meet on August 21, 2023, but when Gutierrez didn’t return home, his family reported him missing. His whereabouts remain unknown.

After Prowell’s recent arrest, investigators discovered Gutierrez’s vehicle in his garage, which provided further evidence linking him to the disappearance and suspected murder.

Authorities indicated that Prowell’s criminal activities didn’t stop there. In another alleged incident on February 22, he reportedly assaulted a victim by tying them up, robbing them, and using a baseball bat. Fortunately, this victim managed to escape despite sustaining a broken leg from being struck by Prowell’s vehicle.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed concern over the predatory nature of Prowell’s actions, emphasizing the fear experienced by his victims who thought they were meeting for a positive interaction only to encounter extreme violence.

Prowell, who is currently on probation for two separate cases, may also be connected to over 30 masked robberies across Southern California, as indicated by authorities. The masks discovered in his car resemble the face of a young white man.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, with the decision regarding the death penalty to be made later.

The Beverly Hills Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office have not provided further comments on the matter.