In a shocking turn of events, the identity of the naked dead man found crammed inside a large drum at a beach in Malibu, California has been revealed. The Los Angeles County coroner's office has identified the man as 32-year-old Javonnta Marshann Murphy, an aspiring rapper who grew up in South Los Angeles. The investigation into his mysterious death is ongoing, and new details have emerged regarding the cause of his demise.

Initially, when the body was identified, no cause of death was released. However, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday that the case information now lists the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the community, as the circumstances surrounding Murphy's death remain unclear.

The discovery of Murphy's body was made on July 31, when a lifeguard at Malibu Lagoon State Beach retrieved a 55-gallon black plastic barrel that had washed back into the lagoon. The barrel had initially been spotted floating in the water on July 30 by a maintenance worker. When the barrel was opened, the lifeless body of Javonnta Marshann Murphy was found inside.

The duration for which Murphy's body had been sealed inside the drum is unknown. Lt. Hugo Raynaga of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stated that the body did not appear decomposed or as if it had been there for a long time. This baffling discovery has left investigators searching for answers and trying to piece together the events leading to Murphy's tragic demise.

In a shocking twist, authorities are now investigating whether Murphy's death may be linked to the murder of rapper Pop Smoke. Murphy was the older brother of Jaquan Murphy, one of the suspects involved in Pop Smoke's killing during a home-invasion robbery earlier this year. Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was shot and killed in a targeted attack after revealing the location of his AirBnB rental on social media. The suspects, believed to be members of a South L.A. street gang, fled with the rapper's diamond-encrusted Rolex.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are now exploring the possibility that Javonnta Murphy's shooting death was a revenge killing for Pop Smoke's murder. TMZ's law enforcement sources have revealed that this potential connection has become a significant focus of the investigation. However, it is crucial to note that no arrests have been made in connection with Javonnta Murphy's slaying at this time.

Family friend Patrick Nelson described Murphy as an aspiring hip-hop artist who had recently moved into his first apartment in Sylmar. Nelson asserts that Murphy was not involved in gang activity and had no known enemies. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information related to Javonnta Marshann Murphy's death to come forward and assist in bringing justice to his grieving family.

The circumstances surrounding Murphy's tragic demise and his connection to the murder of Pop Smoke have left the community in shock. As law enforcement officials work tirelessly to uncover the truth, the memory of Javonnta Marshann Murphy, a young man with dreams of a career in music, will not be forgotten.