LOS ANGELES (TCN) — A 34-year-old man faces charges after allegedly luring men on a dating app and killing two.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, on July 20, 2021, 51-year-old Miguel King met up with Rockim Prowell after they communicated on an online dating app. Allegedly, Prowell fatally shot King before stealing his car.
King’s vehicle was reportedly found more than a week later, and investigators linked Prowell to the shooting. Prosecutors said authorities discovered King’s remains the following month, on Aug. 14, 2021, in the Angeles National Forest.
Nearly two years later, on Aug. 21, 2023, 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez arranged to meet Prowell after they spoke on the same online dating site. Gutierrez’s family reported him missing two days later, but his body has not yet been found. Investigators reportedly uncovered evidence linking Prowell to the alleged killing of Gutierrez.
On Feb. 22, a 40-year-old man communicated with Prowell on the same dating app, and they agreed to meet several miles away from where Prowell lived. Allegedly, Prowell “bound the victim, stole his wallet, and beat him with a baseball bat.” The victim reportedly escaped, but Prowell followed him in a car, hit him, and broke the victim’s leg.
On Sept. 8, the district attorney’s office announced that Prowell was charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He also faces one count of attempted murder, two counts of carjacking and second-degree burglary, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
Authorities arrested Prowell last week and reportedly located Gutierrez’s car in the suspect’s garage.
Prosecutors said Prowell is currently on probation in two separate burglary cases.
Prowell faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, “Imagine the terror and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they were meeting for one reason, only to face inexplicable violence. These were predatory acts that showed a total disregard of life. This suspect has now been stopped in his tracks because of the diligent and tenacious work done by investigators at both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
