He was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes High School the next day. We have a good picture of him and a pretty good description. Your email address will not be published. Law enforcement has ruled Kendrick's death an . On May 8, 2013, a judge granted Kendrick Johnsons body be exhumed. A sheriff in Valdosta, Georgia, has concluded that there is no evidence of a crime in the January 2013 death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes . R.I.P Kendrick Johnson Facebook PageKendrick Johnsons casket was unearthed for a second time for a third autopsy. 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. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Theres still a lot of questions people want answered," Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said. Local law enforcement was quick to rule it an accident and move on but the family is sure this is a case of murder being covered up. Attorney. The mysterious death of Kendrick Johnson was initially ruled an accident by law enforcement, but his family was not convinced. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation previously determined Johnsons death was accidental despite two independent autopsies finding the teen died of non-accidental blunt force trauma. 2023 Cable News Network. His mother posted on her Facebook: No mother or father should ever have to bury their child under these circumstances. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. We know that.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Im going through everything myself, Paulk said,estimatingthat the reopened investigation could last a minimumof six months. In 2015, the Johnsons filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against 38 people, including three of their sons classmates, the school, the local crime lab, state and federal officials, five agents of the GBI, an FBI agent, and more. You want to go on the top of a mountain and scream, Look, people, the evidence is there, Karen Bell added. The U.S. Attorney said allowing evidence discovery in the civil suit to continue would have a "chilling effect" on the federal investigation, which had expanded into investigating possible obstruction and grand jury witness tampering. 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. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! We know that.. Paulk wrote that he reviewed 17 boxes of files from the FBI, Department of Justice, and local authorities while revisiting this case. Coleman called for the individuals immediate arrest. The next investigation was a federal one. We have buried kj 3 times and it felt like 3 funerals and i lost him 3 times.. The police took videotape from the school and could see him entering the gym, but they havent released video that shows anything else. The sheriff released a 16-page summary of his investigation on Wednesday including pictures from the Lowndes County gym. S3 Ep 26 "Results" The Kendrick Johnson Investigation - Investigative True Crime Series In this episode Ash and her team head to North Carolina. A sheriff in Valdosta, Georgia, has concluded that there is no evidence of a crime in the January 2013 death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School. [15], Johnson's family filed a legal action to open a coroner's inquest into his death. [12], The independent autopsy found that some time after Johnson's body was recovered from the mat and had passed through a funeral home, it had been stuffed with newspapers. 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. 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. Johnson's family has rejected officials' determination that Johnson's death was accidental and has accused brothers Brian and Branden Bell of murdering Johnson. The individual in question could face extortion charges if the recording is phony,Paulk said. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants were negligent and violated Johnson's constitutional right to equal protection based on race. Kendrick Johnson was a Georgia teen, who was found dead inside a rolled up wrestling mat. [12][16] The funeral home that processed the body following the FBI's autopsy stated that they never received Johnson's internal organs from the coroner; the organs were said to have been "destroyed through natural process" and "discarded by the prosector before the body was sent back to Valdosta," according to the funeral home owner. Adding to the confusion is the fact that in October 2013, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told CBS thatJohnsons organs were returned to his body following the autopsy, as per protocol. For years, however, the teenagers family has insisted the 17-year-old was murdered and that investigators actively worked to stifle the familys pleas for justice. Eight years ago, classmates at Lowndes High School in Valdosta found 17-year-old Kendrick Johnsons body inside an upright mat. Thats the craziest lie you could have told, Johnson said of Paulks probe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Kendrick Johnsons body has been exhumed twice in recent years. The three teens were classmates. He was found dead in a rolled up wresting mat. It alleged that the defendants ignored reports that, previously, Johnson had been repeatedly attacked and harassed by a white student. Idk why but this case in particular seems to bring out the worst in a lot of true crime podcast hosts. [PHOTOS: Images included in Kendrick Johnson death findings report]. For years, however, the teenager's family has insisted the 17-year-old was murdered and that investigators actively worked to . Just after 24 hours of being found, the investigators ruled Johnsons death an accident. Johnson was the main "sniper" for the 103 gang, Seely said. Lowndes County Sheriff's findings on death of Kendrick Johnson by Jennifer Smith on Scribd. 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 released by Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. 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. His family and friends described him as a sweet and quiet boy. Tuesday marks 10 years since Kendrick died. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. [17] A spokesperson for the Secretary of State said that the investigation found that the funeral home "didn't violate any rules. Download theGrio today! A private pathologist was hired to carry out a second autopsy. [12] The family retained the services of attorney Benjamin Crump. Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson stand next to a banner on their SUV showing their late son Kendrick, in Valdosta, Ga., in December 2013. Nearly a decade after Kendrick Johnsons body was found in a high school gymnasium, investigators have announced a new probe into the Black teenagers mysterious death. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office closed its initial investigation into Kendrick Johnson's death on May 2, 2013, nearly four months after the 17-year-old was found in the school gym in Valdosta. Kendrick Johnson, photo from Medium.com Kendrick Johnson was a sports-loving, ball-playing high school student in Valdosta, Georgia until January 11, 2013, when he was found dead in his school's gymnasium. [12][16] Johnson's family filed a complaint with a regulatory body against the funeral home operator. appreciated. August 17, 2021. WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), Lowndes County Sheriff's findings on death of Kendrick Johnson, Missing Pennsylvania woman found alive after more than 30 years, Reality star Honey Boo Boo was inside speeding Dodge Charger involved in chase with Ga. deputies, Former Atlanta Hawk, Ga. Tech star charged with choking, kidnapping N.C. woman, Surveillance video shows moments leading up to deadly UGA crash, A 17-year-old Gwinnett County girl thought she was taking Percocet; now shes dead. CNNKendrick Johnsons shoe laying in the pool of blood. The emotions are reflective of one someone who has a burden like hell on their shoulders.. 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. You are not on the team of righteousness., The family is raising $400,000 to benefit the Kendrick Johnson Foundations mission to raise awareness on the need for increased supervision and safety within our public schools. In their GoFundMe page post, Johnson writes, On January 10, 2013, Kendricks life was tragically cut short when he was discovered dead in a rolled-up gym mat, under highly suspicious circumstances., A subsequent autopsy conducted by our forensic pathologist subsequently confirmed our worst nightmare that our sons death was no accident, she continues. The Johnsons also accused the brothers father, an FBI agent at the time, of covering up the murder by manipulating the school and authorities involved in investigating Johnsons death. Essential, you asphyxiate (either by suffocation or lack of oxygen) due to the position of your bodya position in which you cant get yourself out. "This week we are trying Kendrick Johnson as the shooter, the organizer and the planner of Delindsey Mack's murder," she told . The case follows a young man that was found dead in 2013. Camera systems were motion-activated, using a change in light pixels to turn recordings on and off. Kendrick Johnson's Family's Quest For Answers Moves To Georgia Capitol", "National Civil Rights Attorney No Longer Involved In Kendrick Johnson Case | Valdosta Today", "Kendrick Johnson family holds rally after filing complaint about missing organs", "Parents of Georgia teen found dead in gym mat sue funeral home", "No Wrongdoing Detected in Kendrick Johnson Funeral Home Probe", "Kendrick Johnson footage released; expert finds it 'highly suspicious', "Rose, Touchton believe no coverup in Johnson case", "Georgia school officials sued in Kendrick Johnson's gym death", "Local, federal investigations into gym mat death continue", "FBI agent, wife file $5 million defamation suit against Ebony.com and crime writer for KJ stories", "Parents File $100 Million Suit in Gym-Mat Death of Georgia Teen Kendrick Johnson", "Second U.S. Attorney in charge of KJ case resigns", "Kendrick Johnson probe: Attorney exits mark shift", "KJ Family Drops $100 Million Wrongful Death Suit | Valdosta Today", "US Justice Department: No criminal charges in gym mat death", "Judge: Parents owe $292,000 for suit in son's gym mat death", "Investigation into death of Georgia teen found in a rolled-up gym mat 8 years ago will be reopened", "Georgia sheriff vows to personally, thoroughly investigate re-opened case of teen found dead in gym mat", "Sheriff reopens Kendrick Johnson case in Valdosta", "A second local investigation into the death of a Georgia teen found in a rolled-up gym mat has closed with no charges filed", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Death_of_Kendrick_Johnson&oldid=1136987199. The US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio declined to comment. 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. Paulks 16-page report, which was released Wednesday and published on Scribd, is divided into nine categories, including conspiring/cover, shoe storage in wresting mats, a fight that occurred on a bus trip among the wrestling team of which Johnson was a member, the teens autopsy and observations after the discovery of his body. Authorities say it appears he was trying to reach for a shoe he had left inside the mat before winter break, got stuck and died. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Then, read about the horrifying murder of Emmett Till. This is how you roll in Valdosta, Jackie Johnson said. The request, however, was denied, even though the coroner Bill Watson had originally expressed a lack of confidence in the Sheriff Departments handling of the case. These issues dont mean that someone will kill someone else, however. 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 . Students had also told police that it was common for them to leave their belongings in the mats when they didnt want to pay for a locker. 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. The description of these brothers closely resembled that of Brian and Brandon Bell, who the magazine claimed had killed Kendrick because of a fight they had had over a year earlier which had escalated. [31] They were subsequently sued for more than $850,000 in attorney fees[32] and $1,000,000 in defamation damages. The Grizzlies played in Denver on Friday night and are scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Saturday . We dont know whether its credible or not, hesaid. Top 15 Best True Crime Documentaries To Watch 1. 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. I do find it disturbing and unethical that this investigation seemed to turn into a witch hunt after the FBI told the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia that they had found nothing criminal, and they consequently were closing the case, Paulk wrote in the synopsis. [28] Shortly after receiving the case, Dettlebach also resigned. estimatingthat the reopened investigation could last a minimumof six months. It seems so much more likely to me that Kendrick Johnson's death was a tragic accident. In 2018, an independent autopsy indicated signs of foul play in the teen's death, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Meet The Damselfly, Your New Favorite Insect, Man Who Had Part Of His Brain Removed To Cure Him Of Seizures Says He No Longer Feels Fear, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Johnsons mother told Channel 2s Tony Thomas that shes not surprised by the findings. He was a three-sport athlete and dreamed of playing professional football. [40], "Kendrick Johnson" redirects here. Im feeling hopeful.. After Johnson's body was found in the upright, rolled up wrestling mat at Valdosta High School in January, state medical examiners ruled his death accidental. On October 31, 2013, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced that his office would open a formal review into Johnson's death. We have buried kj 3 times and it felt like 3 funerals and i lost him 3 times.. This is a very unusual accident. The suit also alleged that school officials failed to "properly monitor the activities of students throughout all areas" of the campus and to "maintain a properly functioning video surveillance system. "[26] After Moore resigned in 2015,[27] the case was transferred to the Northern District of Ohio under U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach. In the latest report, Paulk dispelled rumors that Johnson and the Bell brothers had any contact on the day Johnson died. Johnson's mother told Channel 2s Tony Thomas . Paulk estimated it might take six months to process everything. Listen to the latest episode: Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. In June 2018, Kendrick Johnsons body was exhumed for a second time and a third autopsy was performed. Policeand eventually the state's [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. 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. [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. Paulk said his review of the extensive FBI investigation, 17 boxes worth of evidence and his own look at the 2013 death of Johnson has come to the same conclusion. : No charges in Kendrick Johnson death, nr Blackwell Kendrick Johnson_00003415.jpg. 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. Thing is, he wasnt just found dead. CNN has not independently inspected all the evidence that the sheriff reviewed. Abducted in Plain Sight 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. Possible Audio Confession In Kendrick Johnsons Death Investigated, A recordingthat reportedly contains an emotional confession of an individual who may have been involved in the suspicious 2013 death of teenager. In 2013, the 17-year-olds body was found upside down inside a rolled-up gym mat at a Georgia high school; he'd suffocated to death. Nonetheless, the investigation cleared the funeral home of any wrongdoing. On June 20, 2016, the Department of Justice announced that it would not be filing any criminal charges related to Johnson's death. The Bells father, a former FBI agent, is accused of directing officials to obscure the investigation, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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. Furthermore, Johnsons parents argued, if this was an accident, how could no one have heard Kendrick call for help in a high school of over 3,000 students? 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? We already knew that nothing was going to be done on your watch. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office reopened Kendrick's case last March. His family says despite the setback, they are not giving up hope. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The group is. All Rights Reserved. From there until now, we feel like this has been a cover-up at a very high level. All That's Interesting is a Brooklyn-based digital publisher that seeks out stories that illuminate the past, present, and future. 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 mat was vertical. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. in Georgiais now being vetted by authorities, police said this week. He was never shown within or leaving the gym and indeed, he never did show up for his following classes. Kendrick Johnson's body was found in a rolled-up gym mat in January. We are cautiously optimistic now.. Forensic experts are conducting voice comparison analysis on the speaker captured in the recording. [11] Some of the apparent lapses in coverage were found to result from camera systems that were not synchronized with one another. The father of the kid who had a motive is allegedly an FBI Agent, with enough pull to supposedly save his son. Kendrick Johnsons parents released a photo to the media of their sons face as he lay in the funeral home. 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. Investigators ruled it an accident but his family and other people nationwide believe he was murdered. 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. The Justice Department announced in October 2013 it was opening an investigation into the case and in 2016 said it was closing the case, saying it had found insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges.. FacebookKendrick Johnson with his mother. In a statement to CNN, the US Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia said, the final conclusion in the Kendrick Johnson investigation was reached and announced in 2016 by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio (USAO NDOH), which handled the matter. Johnsons parents were suspicious of the investigation from the beginning. Absolutely, they were extorted.. Lowndes County is in southern Georgia. Johnsons parents finally believed that their sons death was not being taken seriously because of his race. 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.. 2023 Cox Media Group. Months after his death, Lowndes County Sheriffs Office investigators ruled it was an accident and closed the case. The Johnson family spoke Thursday in front of the sheriffs department, criticizing the report released Wednesday. 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. You didnt find nothing in 17 boxes? A recording that reportedly contains an emotional confession of an individual who may have been involved in the suspicious 2013 death of teenager Kendrick Johnson in Georgia is now being vetted by authorities, police said this week. 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. In November 2013, 290 hours of surveillance tape from 35 cameras that covered the gym area were released to CNN following a court request. I do not, he replied. Kendrick Johnson lived with his family in Valdosta, Georgia and attended Lowndes High School. [2][13], After the opinion of the private pathologist was released, Johnson's family stated that they believed Johnson had been murdered. And now, authorities say they have an audio recording of someone admitting to Johnson's death. In 2015, the Johnson family filed a wrongful death suit against brothers Brian and Branden Bell, and another peer, Ryan Hall, who they allege are responsible for Kendrick Johnsons death. The dead teens mother, Jaqueline Johnson, told the TV station she is not surprised by the sheriffs findings. (@tomjones161 via twitter) The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office is insisting. Indeed, in 2013, racism in Valdosta, Georgia, was still very much alive. Paulk called the teenagers death a weird accident, telling CNN, there is nothing to substantiate a homicide.. Video shows Johnson walking into and then through the gym on January 10, 2013. of foul play, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This finding further increased the confidence of doubters that this death was an accident. They do an excellent job digging in to places and topics that authorities seem to avoid, not just in this case but in the others theyve explored as well, like the case of Robert Bee that I wrote about here. 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. Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson stand next to a banner on their SUV showing their late son, Kendrick Johnson, on Dec. 13, 2013, in Valdosta, Ga. 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 spokesperson for the Johnson family, told, .