'Finding Kendrick Johnson' Documentary Shows Facts, Not Conspiracies Crime 'Somebody Knows' What Happened: Doc Filmmaker Speaks on Case About Georgia Teen Found Dead Inside a Gym Mat Finding. 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. 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. [15], Johnson's family filed a legal action to open a coroner's inquest into his death. After extensive investigation into this tragic event, federal investigators determined that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone or some group of people willfully violated Kendrick Johnsons civil rights or committed any other prosecutable federal crime, it said in a statement. Johnson's family has rejected officials' determination that Johnson's death was accidental and has accused brothers Brian and Branden Bell of murdering Johnson. 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 funeral home said that it received the body without organs which it replaced with paper or sawdust as is common practice while embalming. All Rights Reserved. He was found dead in a rolled up wresting mat. The amended report stated his cause and manner of death were undetermined. "Eight long years the crying, the tears, the backlash, being talked about, ridiculed it has not been easy," Johnson added. 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. His parents believe Kendrick was murdered. [2], Authorities hypothesized that Johnson had fallen into the mat while looking for a shoe and died after being unable to get out. 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. When the judge in that case delayed a decision, pending the outcome of the U.S. Attorney's review, the family demanded that the governor of Georgia immediately authorize the inquiry instead. It includes photographs from the schools gymnasium. 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. One of the coroners reports on Kendrick Johnsons autopsy. Attorneys for the Johnson family expressed fears that the camera footage was edited as part of a cover-up. The origin and credibility of the recording . 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. "[35][36], On March 10, 2021, the case was officially reopened. 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. I will fight as long as I have to, to uncover what happened to Kendrick Johnson.. "Nobody really cares, Jackie Johnson, the teenagers mother, told WAGA-TV. [17], Johnson's family requested that his body be exhumed for a second time and was granted permission by Valdosta city officials. Verifying the tapes authenticity is indispensable, he added. [2] That left a void, which the funeral home filled. The familys attorney, Chevene King, expressed thatif Kendrick had been white, the case would have been handled differently. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants were negligent and violated Johnson's constitutional right to equal protection based on race. The sheriff says his office will not be releasing the audio recording at this time. Crime Junkie did the same thing. LeBron James is still in the closet, but he will join Green and Perkins as an "America First" hoopster when Bronny James is toiling in a faraway foreign league.MAGA NBA players are annoyed that foreigners are taking over a . [21] Other missing footage was the result of the camera's motion-activated function not being triggered. Finally, in March 2021, authorities reopened their investigation into Kendrick Johnsons death. The Johnsons have a GoFundMe account open to hire a private investigator to look into what they say is new evidence. Video shows Johnson walking into and then through the gym on January 10, 2013. All things mysterious, murderous, and macabre. According to Paulk, it was Kendrick Johnson's mother, Jackie Johnson, who obtained the recording and turned it in to investigators. 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. CNN has not independently inspected all the evidence that the sheriff reviewed. He was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes High School the next day. Theres still a lot of questions people want answered," Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said. 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. But it is what it is.. The parents asserted that the sons of the FBI agent killed Johnson and used their connections to cover up the investigation. This will be the final [investigation], as far as Im concerned, he said. [31] They were subsequently sued for more than $850,000 in attorney fees[32] and $1,000,000 in defamation damages. 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.. 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. His mother posted on her Facebook: No mother or father should ever have to bury their child under these circumstances. High-traffic streets like Norman Drive in. Listen, Im a high school teacher. Although no charges were ever brought to light, and his death was ruled accidental.. Kendrick Johnsons casket was unearthed for a second time for a third autopsy. The Johnsons were extorted out of $1,000 for a tape that contains an individual admitting to their involvement, he alleged. 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. For the sake of his family, I hope that the case of Kendrick Johnson can be closed in a way that provides closure. But it doesnt look like thats ever going to happen.. R.I.P Kendrick Johnson Facebook PageKendrick Johnsons casket was unearthed for a second time for a third autopsy. RELATED:Body Parts Are Missing: Newly-Released Footage of Kendrick Johnsons Last Moments, the Latest in Troubling Death Investigation. They purchased this from an individual and he did not give them his true name. Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a gym mat at Lowndes High School in January 2013. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. [11] Some of the apparent lapses in coverage were found to result from camera systems that were not synchronized with one another. Allegedly they were in an altercation on a school bus prior to Kendricks death. But his parents would later maintain that his size versus the size of the mat alone was enough to debunk the investigators case. Kendrick Johnson with his mother and father, Kenneth and Jackie Johnson (The Johnson Family). Camera systems were motion-activated, using a change in light pixels to turn recordings on and off. Johnsons shoulders measured 19 across and he was five feet, ten inches tall. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia was recused from the investigation many years ago.. 2023 Cox Media Group. Johnson's family didn't accept the. Kendrick Johnson's death made national news, not on the day his body was discovered, but in weeks . The three teens were classmates. Nonetheless, the investigation cleared the funeral home of any wrongdoing. Johnsons father, however, admitted that he had no hard evidence to back up any of these claims and the Johnsons had to drop the suit. in Georgiais now being vetted by authorities, police said this week. 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. "This week we are trying Kendrick Johnson as the shooter, the organizer and the planner of Delindsey Mack's murder," she told . If it is somebody just doing an extortion racket or a terrible hoax its very, very cruel, and of course, if it is a hoax, well deal with it very sternly, Paulk said. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio declined to comment. KENDRICK JOHNSON: SHERIFF SAYS INVESTIGATION INTO GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE'S DEATH A 'WITCH HUNT' The investigative synopsis states classmates found Johnson. MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Kendrick Johnson Episode Summary In 2013 a 17-year-old boy's body was found rolled up in a high school gym mat. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. [12] The family retained the services of attorney Benjamin Crump. 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 . Published on February 1, 2022 08:45 AM. Then, read about the horrifying murder of Emmett Till. The, death was ultimately ruled accidental and amedical examiner concluded the teen died from, nearly five years ago due to "insufficient evidence", Were actively hunting for the person that provided it, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk told, . Paulk estimated it might take six months to process everything. Speculation and outrageous theories always run wild and it takes away from the victims story. We already knew that nothing was going to be done on your watch, she contended. Not a big deal, perhaps, except, Another student had an issue with Kendrick and had threatened him several times over a girlfriend. Im going through everything myself, Paulk said. 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. Kendrick Johnson's family and several friends gathered and held a balloon . In 2013, Johnsons body was found rolled up in a mat inside a Valdosta-area high school gymnasium. As a result of this new evidence, Matthew Moore, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced a formal review of the case. 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. The Grizzlies played in Denver on Friday night and are scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Saturday . First, no one heard him? : No charges in Kendrick Johnson death, nr Blackwell Kendrick Johnson_00003415.jpg. Coleman called for the individuals immediate arrest. VALDOSTA, Ga. - The brothers accused in a civil suit of killing Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teen found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat in his high school two years ago, are suing Johnson's . From there until now, we feel like this has been a cover-up at a very high level. 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. The case was closed almost half a decade ago due to insufficient evidence of foul play, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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. Authorities say they are working to verify an audio recording of someone admitting to Kendrick Johnson's death. indicated signs of foul play in the teen's death, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "[23], In August 2014, a $5 million lawsuit against Ebony magazine was filed, after the magazine published a series of articles naming two students as possible suspects in Johnson's death. 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. [21] The area where Johnson's body was discovered, where the gym mats were stored, was outside the range of all of the surveillance cameras. Thing is, he wasnt just found dead. [2][13], After the opinion of the private pathologist was released, Johnson's family stated that they believed Johnson had been murdered. He died on January 10 in the school's gym. For years, however, the teenager's family has insisted the 17-year-old was murdered and that investigators actively worked to . 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. They were sued for more than $850,000 in attorney fees and more than one million in defamation charges. While the lawsuit did not name the person or persons allegedly involved in the January 10 event, nor identify the race of alleged perpetrators, it implied a race-based dimension to the hypothetical assault. The sheriff at the center of the Kendrick Johnson death case says his department has gone through the evidence extensively and found no crime. 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. Its been eight long years, said Kendrick Johnsons mother, Jacquelyn. The next day, a teacher found his body inside one of the rolled-up wrestling mats. Abducted in Plain Sight However, these things really happen in the world. The individual in question could face extortion charges if the recording is phony,Paulk said. appreciated. But Johnsons parents would still not give up. Johnsons family, however, said they areconfident the 25-second audio clip is authentic and that it could lead to criminal charges in the case. A private pathologist was hired to carry out a second autopsy. This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 04:38. [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. 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. Download the FOX 5 Atlanta appfor breaking news and weather alerts. The recording hasnt yet been made public. Months after his death, Lowndes County Sheriffs Office investigators ruled it was an accident and closed the case. 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. Sheriff says case closed after his investigation finds Kendrick Johnsons death was no crime, Sheriff says recording thought to show proof Kendrick Johnson was murdered, was a cruel hoax. The three teens were classmates. Paulk called the teenagers death a weird accident, telling CNN, there is nothing to substantiate a homicide.. 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. The Bell family has previously deflected blame in the incident; now, Karen Bell says she's upset by the renewed investigative efforts. The article used as a source an anonymous email to the sheriff's office. 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. Thing is, he wasn't just found dead. It seems so much more likely to me that Kendrick Johnson's death was a tragic accident. . [6] That lawsuit was subsequently withdrawn. The police took videotape from the school and could see him entering the gym, but they havent released video that shows anything else. Furthermore, a second autopsy showed non-accidental blunt force trauma to the back of the neck. We know that.. An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation determined the cause of Johnsons death was accidental positional asphyxia. The17-year-olds death was ultimately ruled accidental and amedical examiner concluded the teen died from positional asphyxia. The case wasclosed nearly five years ago due to "insufficient evidence"supporting foul play, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Indeed, in 2013, racism in Valdosta, Georgia, was still very much alive. The sheriff released a 16-page summary of his investigation on Wednesday including pictures from the Lowndes County gym. 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. Required fields are marked *. MATTIE'S CALL: A 9-month-old baby girl was reported missing from the Ellenwood area with a man police say was diagnosed with a mental illness. 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. His family says despite the setback, they are not giving up hope. 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. Though Paulk said the investigation may take up to six months, both he and the Johnson family are optimistic that justice will finally be served. Many speculate a darker reality. In June 2018, Kendrick Johnsons body was exhumed for a second time and a third autopsy was performed. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. On January 11, 2013, the body of Kendrick Johnson (October 10, 1995 January 10, 2013) was discovered inside a vertical rolled-up mat in the gymnasium of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, United States, where he was a student. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Its an active case so the contents of the recording or anything else, were not going to divulge right now, Paulk said. Draymond Green and Kendrick Perkins don't know it, but they are the first "openly MAGA" basketball players. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. This is a very unusual accident. The pathologist concluded his death was not an accident. In 2013, Johnsons body was found rolled up in a mat inside a Valdosta-area high school gymnasium. Itll be a lot of work, he explained. A family spokesperson told NPR they are "cautiously. The mat in which Johnson was found was around six feet tall. 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. estimatingthat the reopened investigation could last a minimumof six months. The new findings were the result of a second investigation by the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office following one by the FBI. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Johnsons mother told Channel 2s Tony Thomas that shes not surprised by the findings. 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. In June 2016, the Department of Justice announced no charges would be filed against anyone in relation to Kendrick Johnsons death, considering there was insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges.. 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. Earlier in March, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk announced that officials were reopening the investigation and reevaluating the previously-sealed evidence. Nobody wants Kendrick to get justice. You do not believe there was anything criminal? reporter Tony Thomas asked Paulk. 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. 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.". We are cautiously optimistic now.. 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 schools gymnasium. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Pure evil. "Nobody really cares, Jackie Johnson, the teenagers mother, WAGA-TV. The YSL Case Is Stretching Fulton County's Justice System to Its Breaking Point. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 2:24 PM EST, Thu January 27, 2022, Justice Dept. Indeed, when the mat was first unrolled, Johnson did have one arm stretched above his head and the other down around his waist as though struggling for his shoe. 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? He said the camera needed to be adjusted after a basketball hit it. The group is. You want to go on the top of a mountain and scream, Look, people, the evidence is there, Karen Bell added. . Paulk said it could take up to two weeks before results come back. Im feeling hopeful.. [17] A spokesperson for the Secretary of State said that the investigation found that the funeral home "didn't violate any rules. The teens parents say they are not convinced. Thats the craziest lie you could have told. Looking for interesting and mysterious true crime documentaries? FacebookKendrick Johnson with his mother. 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. As parents, our hearts are broken, but we are determined to prevent a tragedy of this magnitude from occurring again., In March of last year, the family received an audio clip from a tipster who was paid for the information; in part, the voice said, I was just young and stupid. We provide you with a list of the top 15 best true crime documentaries that every true crime fan will thoroughly enjoy. Unsatisfied with the result of the investigation, they hired an independent autopsy conducted by William R. Anderson with Forensic Dimensions in Heathrow, Florida, on June 15, 2013. "[11] Johnson's family questioned this hypothesis. Anderson claimed that his findings indicated traces of blunt force trauma to the right neck and soft tissues, and suggested the death was not accidental. Policeand eventually the states attorneysaid he went headfirst into the mat to get a sneaker at the bottom, and that he died from positional asphyxia when he couldnt get out. According to Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk, If theres questions and theyre legitimate I need to know the answers myself. He wrote that the FBI reviewed footage from 62 cameras on campus, and Johnson never crossed paths with the brothers. Johnsons parents have said they think their son was killed. R.I.P Kendrick Johnson FacebookOne of the coroners reports on Kendrick Johnsons autopsy. And potentially missing videotape? When rolled up, the mat left a 14-inch hole in diameter in the center. "It has been our position that Kendrick was struck with an object that caused severe hemorrhaging, Coleman also told WAGA-TV. Johnson's head was pointed toward the floor in the. 2. [29], In November 2015, the Department of Justice filed a motion in the civil case to intervene and stay the case. [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. In the latest report, Paulk dispelled rumors that Johnson and the Bell brothers had any contact on the day Johnson died. [37] However, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk stated that he would not be claiming there was something wrong with the original investigation or that the original investigation's conclusion of an accidental death was wrong. In November 2013, 290 hours of surveillance tape from 35 cameras that covered the gym area were released to CNN following a court request. They soon discover that not only is something wrong, but things go much deeper than they ever imagined. 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. It is a case that has stumped and enraged millions of people around the world. That initial investigation concluded that Johnson accidentally slipped into the center of the mat while reaching for a shoe and got stuck. 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. 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. [11] A student at the school said that he shared a pair of Adidas shoes with Johnson, and that after gym class Johnson would always "go to the mats, jump up and toss the shoes inside the middle of the hole.
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