Man Accused of Luring Men Through Dating App, Killing Two and Attacking Third

A California man is facing death penalty charges after prosecutors say he used a dating app to lure victims into deadly encounters that spanned years — a disturbing pattern investigators describe as “inexplicable” and “predatory.”

Authorities say 34-year-old Rockim Prowell of Inglewood met at least three men through the same dating app between 2021 and 2023. Two were killed. A third barely survived after being bound, beaten, and run down with a car.

“These were cold, calculated, predatory acts,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday. “Imagine believing you’re meeting someone for one reason, only to be met with unimaginable violence.”

The first known victim, 51-year-old Miguel Angel King, connected with Prowell through the app on July 20, 2021. Prosecutors allege Prowell murdered King and stole his car, which was discovered a week later just miles from Prowell’s home. Forensic evidence from the vehicle tied Prowell to the crime.

Weeks later, King’s remains were discovered in a remote area of the Angeles National Forest.

Two years later, on August 21, 2023, prosecutors say Prowell arranged a meeting with 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez — also through the app. Gutierrez disappeared shortly afterward. His body has never been found, but investigators say Prowell was driving his car when he was arrested last week.

The alleged killing spree might have continued if not for a 40-year-old man who escaped with his life. On February 22, prosecutors say Prowell invited the man to meet near his home.

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

“This victim survived the unthinkable,” a law enforcement source told ABC News. “That escape likely prevented another murder.”

Prowell’s alleged dating app crimes aren’t his first run-in with the law. He’s currently on probation for a string of burglaries in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles between 2019 and 2021.

Back in May 2021, Beverly Hills police arrested him for wearing a lifelike prosthetic mask and wig during break-ins, a case that stunned investigators. “It was like something out of a Hollywood movie,” one officer said at the time.

Now, prosecutors allege Prowell escalated from burglary to serial violence.

He faces two counts of murder with special circumstance allegations, one count of attempted murder, two counts of carjacking, two counts of second-degree burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. He’s being held on $2 million bail and is expected to be arraigned Monday.

If convicted, Prowell could face life without parole — or the death penalty. Prosecutors said that decision will come later.

Residents in the Inglewood and Beverly Hills areas are shaken by the allegations.

“People use these apps to find connection,” said community advocate Luis Ramirez. “Now there’s fear and distrust. Nobody imagined something like this happening in our backyard.”

Authorities are urging anyone who may have interacted with Prowell through dating apps to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“This investigation is ongoing,” DA Hochman emphasized. “We believe there may be other victims.”