The Disturbing Tale of a Dating App Predator: From Robberies to Murder
In a chilling narrative that seems straight out of a true crime documentary, a 34-year-old California man named Rockim Prowell has been charged with a series of violent crimes that shocked Los Angeles communities. Prosecutors allege that Prowell used dating apps to lure unsuspecting victims before robbing and, in two tragic cases, murdering them. What makes this case particularly disturbing is not just the cold calculation behind the crimes, but also the lengths to which Prowell allegedly went to conceal his identity—including wearing a lifelike mask of a young white man during numerous burglaries across the Los Angeles area. This mask, which authorities discovered during a traffic stop, represents just one facet of a criminal history that seems to have escalated from property crimes to violent attacks and ultimately murder.
The alleged victims of Prowell’s most serious crimes include 51-year-old Miguel Angel King and 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez, who were killed in 2021 and 2023 respectively after meeting their attacker through dating applications. According to authorities, King’s body was discovered in Angeles National Forest with a fatal gunshot wound, while Gutierrez’s remains have never been recovered—though investigators found his vehicle in Prowell’s garage. In both cases, the perpetrator allegedly fled the crime scenes in the victims’ own cars, adding theft to the list of offenses. Before these murders, Prowell had already established a pattern of criminal behavior, having been convicted of multiple burglaries between 2019 and 2021. Law enforcement officials believe he may be connected to as many as 30 break-ins throughout Los Angeles, suggesting a lengthy criminal career that eventually evolved into violence against individuals.
The case took another disturbing turn with the revelation of a third victim who narrowly escaped with his life. In February of this year, 40-year-old Jordan Andrews allegedly encountered Prowell through a dating app, only to be tied up, tortured, and beaten with a baseball bat. Unlike the previous victims, Andrews managed to break free from his attacker, but his escape attempt was nearly thwarted when Prowell allegedly struck him with a vehicle, breaking Andrews’ leg in the process. This escalating pattern of violence paints a picture of a predator becoming increasingly dangerous and brazen with each attack, using modern technology to identify and isolate vulnerable targets before subjecting them to horrific violence.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman captured the psychological horror of these crimes in his statement: “Imagine the terror and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they were meeting for one reason, only to face inexplicable violence.” Indeed, the betrayal of trust inherent in these crimes adds another layer of trauma for both the survivors and the families of those who did not survive their encounters with the alleged killer. Dating apps, designed to connect people seeking companionship or romance, became a hunting ground where Prowell allegedly identified targets and gained their trust before exploiting that connection for violent purposes. This aspect of the case highlights the vulnerability that can come with online interactions and the difficulty in distinguishing genuine connections from potentially dangerous situations.
The charges against Prowell now include two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, as well as additional charges for carjacking, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. Currently held on $2 million bail, he faces a legal reckoning that could potentially result in life imprisonment if convicted. His alleged use of disguises, including the white mask found by police, suggests a level of premeditation and awareness of surveillance technologies that might have otherwise led to his identification and capture earlier in his criminal career. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed whether the mask was used during his interactions with dating app victims or reserved for his burglary activities, leaving open questions about the full extent of his methods.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers lurking behind seemingly innocent online interactions and the importance of taking safety precautions when meeting strangers from the internet. While dating apps have revolutionized how people connect in the modern world, they also create opportunities for those with malicious intent to access potential victims in ways that weren’t possible before. As this case progresses through the justice system, it will likely prompt renewed conversations about safety in online dating, the responsibility of platforms to protect users, and the best practices for individuals to protect themselves when transitioning from online conversations to in-person meetings. For the families of Miguel Angel King and Robert Gutierrez, as well as for Jordan Andrews, these broader social questions come too late, but their experiences may help prevent future tragedies if they lead to greater awareness and caution among dating app users.
