Robert Paul Johnson, age 27, lived in Mission Beach and was the manager of his apartment complex. On Thursday evening, April 22, 1993, Johnson attended a dinner party with a friend. After the party, Johnson got a ride home from his friend, arriving at about 11:30 pm. Johnson's friend was the last person to see him alive.

Johnson failed to show up for work for the next two days. Johnson's boss, concerned over his absence, eventually contacted one of one Johnson's friends, who went to Johnson's apartment on April 24, 1993, to check on Johnson. Johnson's body was discovered in the bathroom of his apartment. He had been strangled to death.

Johnson was very friendly and frequently invited people he met on the Mission Beach boardwalk to his home.