Body found in barrel along Malibu beach identified as Javonnta Murphy, 32, with his family pleading for answers

The body of a naked man found stuffed in a barrel along Malibu beach has been identified as 32-year-old Javonnta Murphy. 

The family of singer-songwriter Murphy, who is from Los Angeles, have paid tribute to him on social media and pleaded for answers as to how he died. 

'I'm hurt been up all night, how could somebody do this y'all?' his cousin wrote on Facebook.

Sanitation workers first spotted the 55-gallon drum floating in the water along the Pacific Coast Highway bridge on July 30. But he was only discovered dead the next morning when lifeguards swam to retrieve it and noticed its weight.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives are investigating his death and authorities believe the high tide may have carried the barrel into Malibu lagoon from the ocean. 

The body of a man found dead in a barrel along Malibu beach has been identified as 32-year-old Javonnta Murphy

He was discovered dead on Monday when lifeguards swam to retrieve a 55-gallon drum from the water and noticed it was heavy 

The family of singer-songwriter Murphy, who is from Los Angeles, have paid tribute to him on social media and pleaded for answers as to how he died

Homicide detectives are investigating his death and authorities believe the high tide may have carried the barrel into Malibu lagoon from the ocean 

Murphy's cousin has had a difficult time processing his death and questioned how someone could do something like this. 

'I'm having a hard time with this why you had to leave us like this cousin damn,' she wrote on Facebook.

'Can't believe what they did to you cousin. Fly high until we meet again, I love you.'

She added: 'Keep my family in prayers please we need it. GOD my family need a break please.' 

Murphy is the fourth cousin of hers who has died in the last three years. 

Another relative shared her pain following his death and said: 'Awh son I'm hurt. I love you Javonnta Murphy.' 

His great uncle Howard Lewis has been trying to process what happened to Murphy.  

'This has been on my mind for the last couple of days,' he said. 

Murphy's cousin has had a difficult time processing his death and questioned how someone could do something like this

Murphy is the fourth cousin of hers who has died in the last three years 

Today I learned why? My grand-nephew Javonnta was found in Malibu! Prayers to my nephew.'  

Deputies responded to 23200 block of Pacific Coast Highway around 10:30 a.m. Monday after lifeguards discovered the dead body of a man with no clothing in a barrel.

'It didn't look decomposed or like it had been there for a long time,' Lieutenant Hugo homicide investigator Hugo Raynaga said. 

It is unclear how Murphy died, how long his body was inside the barrel or where it originated. 

A view high above Malibu Point, Malibu beach, Malibu Pier and Malibu Lagoon State Beach above Pacific Coast Highway PCH

A photo posted to social media by Andy Lyon, a local resident and realtor, showed where homicide detectives were still combing the scene.

The beach was closed as homicide investigators combed the scene. 

Malibu Lagoon State Beach is in Malibu, California, and also known as Surfrider Beach.

The 110-acre site lies within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and is about 28 miles from Los Angeles.

Malibu is located west of Los Angeles and is known for being the home to celebrities and beaches - not dramatic crime scenes. The average income sits at $71,000, more than double the national average of $31,000. 

The incident left locals in shock over the discovery.  

Former Mayor Jefferson Wagner told the Los Angeles Times that when he first saw the barrel on Sunday evening, he thought it was a toxic waste container. He added he couldn't remember a similar situation in the community. 

'This is not what happens in Malibu,' Wagner told the outlet, he added he was 'deeply disturbed. This is not a common occurrence. I mean, bodies in a barrel is just sad.'