Who is “Fiji John”? Investigators are asking for information in the Kent murder case

KENT, Washington. – The murder of 54-year-old Randy Cantrell remains unsolved more than a year after his death. Cantrell was found unconscious in a tent at a homeless camp on March 28, 2023, suffering a severe head injury that ultimately led to his death.

Detective Matt Lorette of the Kent Police Department recently revisited the crime scene, hidden off SE 256th Street on East Hill.

“There used to be tents there and that’s where Randy was found,” Lorette said. Cantrell did not live in the camp but often visited.

When the call for help came to 911, firefighters initially thought they were responding to an overdose. They quickly discovered that Cantrell was cold to the touch and had suffered a severe blow to the head.

“It wasn’t an overdose,” Lorette stated. “We knew pretty quickly that it was a crime.”

Witnesses to the incident quickly disappeared, complicating the case. However, one name kept coming up.

Det. Lorette asks for help identifying and locating a person of interest known only as “Fiji John.”

“We know he was at the camp and is about 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-7, but we don’t know what his real name is or where he is now,” Lorette said.

He believes “Fiji John” may have crucial information. Cantrell was declared brain dead shortly after being admitted to the hospital. He was on life support when his daughter, Ashley Cantrell, rushed to him.

“I had about two days because I didn’t even know he was an organ donor. We were ready to let him go peacefully,” she said.

After her father's death, Ashley received letters from recipients of his organ donations that gave her some comfort.

“I miss him a lot, but I'm just glad he doesn't have to suffer through the pain anymore,” she shared.

Before the tragedy, Ashley had been worried about her father's safety. Randy previously suffered an injury while working as a roofer and then a brain injury from an attack that sent him to the hospital two years ago.

Cantrell was relying on a monthly disability check of $1,000.

“My father was the sweetest, most loving and caring person out there. He took all his money and made sure he took care of everyone,” she recalled.

Ashley wonders if the money could have been a motive for his murder. She knows the dangers of life on the streets, having experienced homelessness herself.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was like, 'Okay, I'm going to go for treatment. I was just done,'” she said, adding that she is now raising her son and pursuing a degree in drug and alcohol counseling.

Randy's murder was emotionally devastating for his sister, Julie Cantrell. She shared her grief in writing and stated:

“Randy suffered for many years from mental illness, workplace accidents and addiction. But he wasn't always so broken. He was my big brother and I loved him. The years he spent on the streets were the most helpless and heartbreaking years.” I spent countless nights in my bed worrying about him, out there in the cold and rain. Logically, I know that I did everything in my power to help him. And I find it ironic that now that he's gone, people want to help find the person who hurt him. I have been told countless times that he is not eligible for this help. I feel like it is really about what is wrong with our society, our laws and our system that allows people to fall through the cracks. When I got the call that my brother was gone, it was the end of a long time. Of course it wasn't the end I was hoping for, but at least he was finally at peace and didn't have to suffer anymore. When my brother was well, he was a fun-loving guy with a good heart. He has a daughter and two young grandchildren who will never meet their grandfather. He would have liked to play with them. He would have cheered them on during sports or other activities they were doing. He would have been so proud of her. Of course I want the person(s) who killed him to be found and held accountable. But it's not the reason many would think. I hold no animosity because I have compassion for the circumstances that led to them being out there in that homeless camp with Randy. I don't know if he was targeted because sometimes he had money from a monthly disability check. But whatever their motives, I still forgive them. I worry that whoever did this could be violent and dangerous to other vulnerable people on the streets. I don't want what happened to Randy to happen to anyone else or their families. I can imagine that any witnesses to the incident are unlikely to want to come forward or speak to the police. I'm sure they most likely struggle with addiction or other issues as well. But I hope someone will come forward and share what they know for the benefit of other people out there and vulnerably.”

Detective Lorette remains confident in her ability to solve the case, but recognizes the urgency of identifying the key individual known as “Fiji John.”

Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. All tipsters remain anonymous.

If you can identify “Fiji John” or have any information to help solve this murder, text the information using the P3 Tips app, available for free download to your cell phone, go to P3Tips.com or call 1-800 -222. TIPS (8477).

If you would like to speak to Det. Lorette about the case, send him an email at [email protected]

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