All That's Interesting is a Brooklyn-based digital publisher that seeks out stories that illuminate the past, present, and future. In 2013, Johnsons body was found rolled up in a mat inside a Valdosta-area high school gymnasium. It's a shame we can't spend more time making fun of Perkins using his own experience in stat-padding to prove its existence, citing an obviously cherry-picked stat (MVP Magic Johnson finished 18th . Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. This is how you roll in Valdosta. She and her family maintain that young Kendrick was murdered. These issues dont mean that someone will kill someone else, however. On January 11 in Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead, rolled up inside a large gym mat. Body Parts Are Missing: Newly-Released Footage of Kendrick Johnsons Last Moments, the Latest in Troubling Death Investigation, Rick Bell, was an FBI special agent who ultimately resigned, Johnsons organs were returned to his body following the autopsy, subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. According to CNN, funeral director Antonio Harrington claimed the 17-year-olds organs were destroyed through [the] natural process due to the position of his body when he died. We already knew that nothing was going to be done on your watch, she contended. On June 22, 2018, Johnson's body was exhumed.[19]. An investigation into the death of Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teenager found dead in a rolled-up gym mat eight years ago, has been reopened, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. The origin and credibility of the recording . But, There are some strange pieces to this case. Camera systems were motion-activated, using a change in light pixels to turn recordings on and off. Johnson, 17, was found dead in Lowndes High School's gymnasium in January 2013. The next investigation was a federal one. Nonetheless, the investigation cleared the funeral home of any wrongdoing. There are no suspects because we havent made a determination as to whether or not this was murder, Paulk added. [2], Authorities hypothesized that Johnson had fallen into the mat while looking for a shoe and died after being unable to get out. They wont publicly say what that new info is. The three teens were classmates. Paulk estimated it might take six months to process everything. The sheriff said he spent 15 months reading every page in that file, but found that they did not show any criminal action whatsoever.. But it doesnt look like thats ever going to happen.. VALDOSTA, Ga. - A Georgia sheriff says his office has received new information in the death investigation ofa Valdosta teenager whose body was found at school inside a rolled-up gym mat. Johnson's family filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against 38 individuals, stating that his death was a murder and that the respondents were participants in a conspiracy to cover up the homicide, which they claimed involved two sons of an FBI agent. The Johnsons hoped for a coroners inquest, which would begin the process ofreclassifying the cause of Kendrick Johnsons death as non-accidental and reopening the investigation. But this is one of the most baffling mysteries of this case: the black and white gym shoe that lay on the ground below Kendrick Johnson, the one he was presumed to be reaching for, was lying on top of a pool of blood, but there was no blood on the shoe itself. He died on January 10 in the school's gym. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. I am quite sure that there will still be a contingent that will believe there was foul play, he wrote. The suit alleges the boys family conspired with former Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine and county school officials to cover up the death. The suit alleged that Johnson "was violently assaulted, severely injured, suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, and subjected to insult and loss of life" on January 10, 2013. He was never shown within or leaving the gym and indeed, he never did show up for his following classes. Eight years ago, classmates at Lowndes High School in Valdosta found 17-year-old Kendrick Johnsons body inside an upright mat. It's just like,'shut this family up,' sending them on their way, but what they didn't realize is the Johnson family is not going anywhere.". [5], Johnson's family filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against 38 individuals, stating that his death was a murder and that the respondents were participants in a conspiracy to cover up the homicide, which they claimed involved two sons of an FBI agent. A second local investigation into the 2013 death of Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teenager who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat, has been closed with no charges filed, according to a report . Then, in 2014, Kendrick Johnsons parents filed a wrongful death suit against the schools officials, alleging that Johnson had been harassed by a white student which went neglected by the school, perhaps due to his race. NY Daily News/Valdosta/Lowndes Regional Crime Labratory via CNNKendrick Johnsons body rolled up inside the gym mat with his shoes behind his knees. That initial investigation concluded that Johnson accidentally slipped into the center of the mat while reaching for a shoe and got stuck. As he was upside down, blood would have rushed to Johnsons head and he eventually would have begun to bleed from his facial orifices. Sheriff says recording thought to show proof Kendrick Johnson was murdered, was a cruel hoax His family says despite the setback, they are not giving up hope. A recently-completed investigation found no evidence of a coverup in the 2013 death of Kendrick Johnson, who was found in a rolled-up mat at his Georgia high school. The Johnsons were also sure that their sons body had been moved, which was corroborated by Lowndes County Coroner, Bill Watson. I really hope that he . [12] Three students at Lowndes High School told investigators that it was common for some students to store their shoes behind or under the rolled up mats, Johnson was not wearing shoes when he was found. The emotions are reflective of one someone who has a burden like hell on their shoulders.. It seems so much more likely to me that Kendrick Johnson's death was a tragic accident. It includes photographs from the schools gymnasium. [31] They were subsequently sued for more than $850,000 in attorney fees[32] and $1,000,000 in defamation damages. Lowndes County police said they believed Kendrick crawled into the mat to retrieve his shoes, became stuck, and continued to burrow into the mat until he became completely trapped and died. The case follows a young man that was found dead in 2013. The Johnsons did try to sue the funeral home for mishandling their sons body, and perhaps having done so in order to cover up his true cause of death, but this case was dropped. That students father is a retired FBI agent. We aint cheering, but we know this is the only path that we can get for justice for Kendrick Johnson, Marcus Coleman said this week. A number of community activists have also spoken out in favor of the forthcoming probe into the Georgia teens death. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia was recused from the investigation many years ago.. Lowndes County Sheriffs Office reopened Kendricks case last March. CNN A second local investigation into the 2013 death of Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teenager who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat, has been closed with no charges filed, according to. Investigators concluded he died in a freak accident. VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Kendrick Johnson's family is full of hope after they brought a new recording to light with a possible confession to law enforcement. Nobody wants Kendrick to get justice. [14] The governor's office released a statement indicating that they would await the report of the U.S. [12] The family retained the services of attorney Benjamin Crump. Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a gym mat at Lowndes High School in January 2013. Kendrick didnt deserve this., Following public outcry, the Justice Department also investigated Kendricks death in 2013 and closed its case in 2016, finding insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges., The report from the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office was published by the Valdosta Daily Times newspaper on Wednesday. Johnsons parents were suspicious of the investigation from the beginning. In the recently-released report, Paulk scrutinized an amended report that was released two years after the Office of Armed Forces Medical Examiner found in August 2014 that Johnson died of positional asphyxia and listed his death as accidental. Now, positional asphyxia is a legitimate cause of death. You want to go on the top of a mountain and scream, Look, people, the evidence is there, Karen Bell added. I would be suspicious too, if I were Kendricks parents, that there may be some kind of cover up occurring because, lets face it, who has ever heard of someone dying in a rolled up gym mat? Coleman didnt speculate on the speakers identity but emphasized the voice sounded younger in age. He also claimed the tapes unidentified seller, who supposedly sent the Johnsons several texts to orchestrate the purchase, is a white male. He also stated thefuneral home never had Johnsons organs, saying they were discarded by the prosecutor before the body was sent back to Valdosta for burial. [28] Shortly after receiving the case, Dettlebach also resigned. Kendrick Johnson: Unsolved Crime or Tragic Accident. Looking for interesting and mysterious true crime documentaries? For the American professional basketball player, see, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, "Lowdes County Incident Report K. Johnson", "Gym mat death: Attorneys call for surveillance video", "Kendrick Johnson Lowndes County High School gym mat death: Lawyers ask for surveillance video", "Gym Mat Death Shocker: Body Stuffed With Newspaper", "Federal prosecutor will look into Kendrick Johnson case", "FBI agent, sons countersue parents of Ga. teen found dead in gym mat", "Defendants Seek Attorney Fees in Dismissed Kendrick Johnson Case", "Kendrick Johnson suit: Feds want to stop evidence collection", "Third autopsy claims foul play in Valdosta gym mat death case", "Kendrick Johnson's parents still searching for answers to their son's death", "Parents of Georgia teen found dead in gym mat rally for inquiry", "Kendrick Johnson investigation: Feds will not file charges", "Who Killed K.J.?! After this sad look at the case and death of Kendrick Johnson, read up on another mysterious disappearance, that of Elisa Lam. The US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio declined to comment. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! On that tape, you very clearly hear what appears to be a caucasian young male admitting very tearful, very fearful and stating twice that he knows that hes going to get caught, a family spokespersonsaid. The body was discovered by fellow students who had climbed up to the top of a cluster of mats, each of which stood nearly 6 feet (1.8m) tall and 3 feet (0.91m) wide. Lowndes County is in southern Georgia. Although no charges were ever brought to light, and his death was ruled accidental.. In their lawsuit, the parents of the accused boys assert that their sons were not involved in the death, are not considered suspects, and have been harassed as a result of the publication. Investigators concluded he died in a freak accident. 2:24 PM EST, Thu January 27, 2022, Justice Dept. Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Georgia baby girl reported missing with man diagnosed with mental illness, police say, Jesse Wilson: Adoptive mother arrested in boy's death in Arizona, Georgia Power proposes $2.1-billion rate hike, Floyd County cleaning up after trees, power lines downed during severe storms, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, Surveillance captures shooting death of man robbed at MARTA bus stop, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, UGA football staffer drunk and traveling over 100 mph before fatal crash, police say, DNA links Indiana man to Georgia woman's 33-year-old cold case murder: sheriff. Since 17 year old Kendrick Johnson was found dead, in a rolled up gym mat, the question has remained; was this a tragic accident, or a well orchestrated and quickly hidden murder. On that tape, you very clearly hear what appears to be a caucasian young male admitting very tearful, very fearful and stating twice that he knows that hes going to get caught, Marcus Coleman, a spokesperson for the Johnson family, told Oxygen.com. Georgia state law dictates that the coroner be contacted immediately on the discovery of a body, but Watson claimed that he was not notified until six hours later. All Rights Reserved. Investigation into death of Georgia teen found in a rolled-up gym mat 8 years ago will be reopened. Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk told WSB-TV his office reviewed the FBIs findings, as well as 17 boxes of evidence, and reached that decision. The Grizzlies played in Denver on Friday night and are scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Saturday . The latest report addresses several controversial topics at the center of Johnsons death, including the teens autopsy, where his body was found, and cameras located at Lowndes High School. This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 04:38. You do not believe there was anything criminal? Thomas asked Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. Johnson's head was pointed toward the floor in the. We have a good picture of him and a pretty good description. in Georgiais now being vetted by authorities, police said this week. Attorney. We have buried kj 3 times and it felt like 3 funerals and i lost him 3 times.. Investigatorsdeclined to comment on what's said in theaudio but confirmed theyre now tracking down the individual who allegedly sold the tape to Johnsons mother. Georgia Judge Richard Porter ordered the Johnsons and their attorney to pay more than $292,000 in legal fees to the defendants, accusing them of fabricating evidence to support their claims. Download theGrio today! The case was closed almost half a decade ago due to insufficient evidence of foul play, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Lowndes County Sheriff's. The origin and credibility of the recording which was provided to the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office after being purchased by Johnsons family are bothnow being investigated. "It has been our position that Kendrick was struck with an object that caused severe hemorrhaging, Coleman also told WAGA-TV. Investigators did not take the hoodie and orange and black gym shoes into evidence. [11] An autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) stated that Johnson had died from positional asphyxia,[12] and the case was ruled an accidental death by the Lowndes County investigators. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! No further information was readily provided by law enforcement. NY Daily News/Valdosta/Lowndes Regional Crime Labratory via CNN. Kendrick died as a result of blunt force trauma to his person. On June 20, 2016, the Department of Justice announced that it would not be filing any criminal charges related to Johnson's death. Almost a full day had passed until Johnson had been discovered. "Eight long years the crying, the tears, the backlash, being talked about, ridiculed it has not been easy," Johnson added. But it is what it is.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The mat in which Johnson was found was around six feet tall. We dont know whether its credible or not, hesaid. His family says despite the setback, they are not giving up hope. The article used as a source an anonymous email to the sheriff's office. But Johnsons parents felt that his death was not being taken seriously, in part because of his race, or because a larger cover-up was at play. [15], Johnson's family filed a legal action to open a coroner's inquest into his death. I will fight as long as I have to, to uncover what happened to Kendrick Johnson.. Over the years, the Johnsons have publicly implicated brothers Brian and Branden Bell in Kendricks death. They purchased this from an individual and he did not give them his true name. [7][8][9][10], On January 11, 2013, the body of Kendrick Johnson was discovered in the gymnasium of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, found headfirst in the center of a vertical rolled-up wrestling mat. The Sheriffs Department asserted that Johnson must have accidentally fallen into the center of the mat while reaching for a sneaker, which he had stored there so as not to have to pay for a locker. On January 11, 2013, the body of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found in the most unusual of circumstances: upside-down and rolled up in a school gym mat. The familys attorney, Chevene King, expressed thatif Kendrick had been white, the case would have been handled differently. [20] A forensic analyst enlisted by CNN found that tapes from two cameras are missing an hour and five minutes of footage, while another set was missing two hours and ten minutes of footage. Months after his death, Lowndes County Sheriffs Office investigators ruled it was an accident and closed the case. But his parents would later maintain that his size versus the size of the mat alone was enough to debunk the investigators case. Then, read about the horrifying murder of Emmett Till. [2] That left a void, which the funeral home filled. The three teens were classmates. Absolutely, they were extorted.. For years, however, the teenager's family has insisted the 17-year-old was murdered and that investigators actively worked to . Finally, in March 2021, authorities reopened their investigation into Kendrick Johnsons death. Regardless, the organs were lost and could not be tested during the second autopsy, which further aroused suspicions in Johnsons parents that this was a cover-up. Justice denied. A hoodie and a pair of orange and black gym shoes were also found lying on the floor of the gym, as well as traces of blood on the wall nearby. Parents' lawsuit in Georgia gym mat death is dismissed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. S3 Ep 26 "Results" The Kendrick Johnson Investigation - Investigative True Crime Series In this episode Ash and her team head to North Carolina. Sheriff says case closed after his investigation finds Kendrick Johnsons death was no crime Jaqueline Johnson said she doesnt trust local authorities and wants federal investigators to take another look at what happened to her son here nine years ago. All rights reserved, Privacy Policy|Online Content Agreement, Third Autopsy shows Kendrick Johnson Suffered blunt Force Trauma, Positional Asphyxia: Death due to Unusual Head-Down Position in a Narrow Space, Kendrick Johnson lawsuit: Feds want attorneys to stop collecting evidence, Parents of Georgia teen found dead in gym mate rally for inquiry, National civil right attorney no longer involved in Kenrick Johnson case, Kendrick Johnson family hold rally after filing complaint about missing organs, No wrong doing detected in Kendrick Johnson funeral home probe, Kendrick Johnson footage released; expert find it highly suspicious, KJ family drops $100 million wrongful death suit, Local, federal investigations into gym mat death continue. The mat was vertical. We already knew that nothing was going to be done on your watch. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Furthermore, a whole hour of footage from the gym was missing, right at the time which would have shed light on what happened that day. Time stamps between some separate camera systems differed by as much as twenty minutes for the same time period, giving the impression of a gap for portions of the footage where no gap existed. The findings of the second autopsy, that Johnsons death was not accidental and caused by blunt force trauma likely due to being struck in the neck with a 45lb dumbbell, were confirmed. However, Paulk claimed a woman with the Department of Justice and a man performing the autopsies had developed a close relationship with at one point, the woman saying in an email, I had to make him feel like a man so that he would be open to talking.. Law enforcement has ruled Kendrick's death an . The NBA has opened an investigation into a social media post by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant after he livestreamed himself holding what appeared to be a gun at a club early Saturday. But those dreams were cut short when his body was found by students entering the gymnasium rolled up in a standing gym mat. FacebookKendrick Johnson with his mother. Attorneys in Atlanta describe widespread delays and disruptions to other cases as the prosecution of Young Thug . We have not had faith in Lowndes County. 2023 Cox Media Group. Johnsons family has long-suspected the teen was killed by classmates and theorized that their parents conspired with school and law enforcement officials to cover up hisdeath. We know that.. Itll be a lot of work, he explained. If authentic, the audio maybe one of the first significant clues to emerge since the cases reopening earlier this month by the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office. August 17, 2021. The public was horrified by the photo and began to rally around the Johnsons in their quest for the truth. The lawsuit alleged that the FBI agent ordered his two sons and a classmate to attack Johnson, that his death was a murder, and that the respondents engaged in a conspiracy to cover up the homicide. [Featured image: Kendrick Johnson/Contributed], Life Without Parole: Convicted Kidnappers of Slain Toddler Kamille McKinney Sentenced, Squatter Charged With Murder of Missing Teen Farmer Dylan Rounds, Teen Who Rapped About Shooting Rival Gang Member in Back Charged with Murder. First, no one heard him? Paulk wrote that he reviewed 17 boxes of files from the FBI, Department of Justice, and local authorities while revisiting this case. "If it's a hoax, it's a very, very cruel hoax to do to Mrs. Johnson," he said. Have you subscribed to the Grio podcasts Dear Culture or Acting Up? Download our newest episodes now!TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku.
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