DNA Links Killer to Grisly Dating App Murders

Hands of a person in handcuffs wearing an orange jumpsuit

A California serial killer used dating apps to hunt victims while previously terrorizing neighborhoods wearing a chilling white prosthetic mask, revealing a calculated predator who exploited modern technology and disguises to evade justice.

Story Highlights

Rockim Prowell charged with murdering two men and attempting to kill a third victim met through dating apps
Previously wore eerie white prosthetic mask during burglary spree from 2019-2021 to conceal identity
Four-year crime pattern from 2021-2025 included robbery, carjacking, and murder in Los Angeles County
Prosecutors considering death penalty as forensic evidence links Prowell to multiple violent crimes

Dating App Predator’s Deadly Pattern

Rockim Prowell, 44, of Inglewood systematically exploited online dating platforms to target unsuspecting victims across Los Angeles County. Between 2021 and 2025, prosecutors allege Prowell used these apps to arrange meetings that became deadly traps. Miguel Angel King was shot and killed in July 2021, his body discovered in Angeles National Forest. Robert Gutierrez disappeared in 2023 after meeting Prowell, with his vehicle later found in the suspect’s garage. A third victim survived a brutal February 2025 attack where Prowell tied him up and beat him with a baseball bat.

Prosthetic Mask Reveals Calculated Deception

Law enforcement revealed Prowell’s disturbing history of using a realistic white prosthetic mask during burglaries committed between 2019 and 2021. This sophisticated disguise allowed him to conceal his identity while committing crimes, demonstrating premeditated criminal behavior that predates his alleged dating app murders. The mask revelation underscores the calculated nature of Prowell’s criminal enterprise, showing a pattern of deception and identity manipulation spanning multiple years and different types of violent crimes.

Forensic Evidence Builds Strong Case

DNA evidence and vehicle forensics proved crucial in linking Prowell to the murders and disappearances. Investigators discovered Gutierrez’s car in Prowell’s possession, while additional forensic evidence from crime scenes connected him to King’s murder. District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned Prowell’s “predatory” acts that “showed a total disregard for life.” The comprehensive evidence collection demonstrates how modern investigative techniques can track digital-age predators who exploit online platforms to find victims.

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty, pending committee approval, reflecting the severity of crimes that terrorized the dating app community. Prowell faces two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, plus multiple carjacking and burglary charges. His arrest in September 2025 ended a multi-year investigation that connected seemingly unrelated violent crimes through forensic evidence and digital footprints left across dating platforms.