SoCal man accused of murdering 2 men he met through dating app, trying to kill third

An Inglewood man is accused of murdering two men he met through a dating app and attempting to kill a third in what prosecutors described as "inexplicable" and "predatory" acts of violence.

Rockim Prowell, 34, has been charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of men prosecutors say he met through an unnamed dating app in 2021 and 2023. He also faces one count of attempted murder.

The third alleged victim also met the suspect through the same dating app in February, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. After being bound and beaten with a baseball bat, the man managed to escape, prosecutors said.

Investigators arrested Prowell last week. He did not enter a plea during his appearance in court Monday and is being held without bail.

"Imagine the terror and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they were meeting for one reason, only to face inexplicable violence," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. "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."

The DA's office said vehicles stolen from the two murder victims were linked to Prowell. Prowell is currently on probation in two separate cases for a series of burglaries he committed in the Beverly Hills and L.A. areas between 2019 and 2021, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say the first victim met with Prowell in July 2021 after the two men talked on an unnamed dating app. Prowell is accused of fatally shooting that man and stealing his car, which was found more than a week later.

"Forensic evidence recovered from the vehicle linked Prowell to the slaying," the DA's office said in a statement.

The victim's remains were found on Aug. 14, 2021 in the Angeles National Forest, according to the statement.

In August 2023, prosecutors claim a second victim, identified as 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez, and Prowell agreed to meet at a location about a mile from Prowell's home. Both interacted on the same online dating site.

Gutierrez was reported missing by his family two days later, prosecutors said. His body hasn't been found.

"When investigators arrested Prowell last week, they found Gutierrez's car in the defendant's garage. Additional evidence linked Prowell to the killing of Gutierrez," according to the DA's statement.

On Feb. 22, prosecutors allege Prowell met with a 40-year-old man about four miles from the suspect's home after they connected on the same online dating app.

"Prowell allegedly bound the victim, stole his wallet and beat him with a baseball bat," prosecutors said. "The victim managed to escape but Prowell chased the man in a vehicle, striking him and breaking his leg."

Prowell has been charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, as well as one count of attempted murder, two counts each of carjacking and second-degree burglary and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

If convicted as charged, he faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

Prowell was arrested in May 2021 in connection with a series of burglaries in Beverly Hills. Police said at the time that he wore a prosthetic mask with a wig during the crimes.

ABC News contributed to this report.