An Inglewood man has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and multiple other offenses, accused of preying on men he met through online dating applications. The current investigations have linked Rockim Prowell, 34, to a series of violent encounters spanning several years, culminating in the deaths of two men and a brutal assault on a third.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Rockim Prowell faces grave charges, including two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He is also charged with one count of attempted murder, two counts of carjacking, two counts of second-degree burglary, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, Prowell could face the death penalty or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The decision on whether prosecutors will seek capital punishment is pending. Prowell was arraigned on September 8, 2025, and is expected to face further proceedings. This case is part of an ongoing investigation involving the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The First Victim: Miguel Angel King
Prosecutors allege that the violence began on July 20, 2021, when 51-year-old Miguel Angel King met Prowell after connecting on an online dating app. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Prowell fatally shot King during this encounter and subsequently stole his vehicle. King’s car was discovered over a week later, several miles from Prowell’s residence. Forensic evidence recovered from the stolen vehicle was instrumental in linking Prowell to the slaying. King’s remains were eventually found on August 14, 2021, in the Angeles National Forest, bearing a bullet wound. At the time of King’s death, Prowell was already on probation for a series of burglaries committed between 2019 and 2021 in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles areas.
The Second Victim: Robert Gutierrez
Nearly two years later, on August 21, 2023, Prowell allegedly met 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez, after the two had interacted on the same online dating site. They agreed to meet at a location approximately one mile from Prowell’s home. Two days after this meeting, Gutierrez’s family reported him missing. His body has not yet been located. When investigators arrested Prowell, they discovered Gutierrez’s car in the suspect’s garage, along with additional evidence that authorities say links Prowell to Gutierrez’s death. Notably, unrelated reports indicated a different Robert Gutierrez was a victim of a fatal shooting in Santa Barbara in December 2022, a case distinct from this ongoing investigation.
The Third Victim: A Narrow Escape
Authorities believe Prowell’s pattern of alleged violence continued. On February 22, 2025, Prowell connected with a 40-year-old man through the same dating app. They met at a location about four miles from Prowell’s residence. During this encounter, Prowell allegedly bound the victim, stole his wallet, and assaulted him with a baseball bat. The victim managed to escape the immediate attack, but Prowell pursued him in a vehicle, striking him and causing a broken leg. The surviving victim was able to identify Prowell to investigators, providing crucial testimony.
“Predatory Acts” and Prior Record
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the alleged crimes as “predatory acts that showed a total disregard of life.” He emphasized the terror victims might have felt, being “duped into believing they were meeting for one reason, only to face inexplicable violence.” The investigation also uncovered details of Prowell’s past criminal activities, including a series of burglaries for which he was on probation. Reports from 2021 indicated Prowell was arrested in connection with over 30 burglaries across Southern California, sometimes wearing a mask to alter his appearance. The specifics of the dating app used in these alleged crimes were not disclosed by officials.
The comprehensive investigation, a collaboration between the LAPD and the LA County Sheriff’s Department, has brought these charges against Prowell. The case highlights the evolving nature of crime and the critical role of forensic evidence and witness identification in bringing perpetrators to justice. This trending news from the West Coast underscores the ongoing efforts in investigations to tackle complex criminal activities.
