Please subscribe of the website www.AshesToAshTV.com to get early access to the episodes, discounted merchandise, and ad free content. Kendrick Johnson case: What happened to him and when did he Witness comes forward with information regarding the death of The Johnson family and their attorney could not immediately be reached on Tuesday. This is a very unusual accident. Paulk said he will personally lead the reopened investigation, which will include some officials who worked on it the first time as well as some new to it. WebKendrick Johnson, 17, was found dead and rolled up inside a high school gym mat back in 2013. Family hopes new audio clip could lead to Kendrick Johnsons killer The truth is the truth, Paulk said. And I mean it's just rightfully so considering all of the letdowns that they've had over the years.". Ive looked at everything I can look at. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Johnson's parents have believed from the outset that their son was killed. Kendricks father, Kenneth Johnson, said he still believed that someone had killed his son, a popular athlete at Lowndes High and the youngest of five siblings. The body of 17-year-old Johnson was found upside down in a mat in Lowndes County High School in January 2013. Kendrick Johnson The 17-year Mom Jaqueline Johnson said last Wednesday that she wants federal investigators to take a second look at what happened to her son. Paulk said his office is currently working to verify the recording and follow the chain of custody to determine its legitimacy. "When the news came down, I can say that, in one breath, they're grateful, they're thankful for the reopening," Coleman said. (According to a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Kendricks family, the two students being investigated were sons of a former F.B.I. FBI agent, sons countersue parents of Kendrick Johnson, King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Investigators ruled his death an accident. Ryan Anthony comes forward with some information regarding what may have happened to Kendrick Johnson. We already knew that nothing was going to be done on your watch. Johnson's family said they believe the teen was murdered and that his death was covered-up. Johnson, 53, said that a forensic pathologist hired by the family, William R. Anderson, had found that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the right side of the boys They did so through Marcus Coleman, a community activist who has served as their family spokesperson for the last eight years. After the release of my synopsis of the Federal files on the Kendrick Johnson case, his parents have called me a liar and continue to state that Kendrick was murdered," Paulk said in a news release Monday. Paulk said he would offer up his own money if someone comes forwardbut that, as of right now, they have not had a viable person come forward yet. At 1:27 p.m. that day, camera footage showed Kendrick walking by himself into the gym, toward the bleachers, where gym mats were rolled and stored vertically. Parents say they are getting new evidence to prove Kendrick Johnson was killed, claim cover-up. Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk recently announced there would be no charges in the case of Kendrick Johnson, 17, who was found in 2013 in a rolled-up gym mat. Kendrick Johnson murder case: Sheriff receives possible audio 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. State and local law enforcement officials ruled the death an accidental asphyxiation, saying Johnson died after he climbed into the mat to retrieve his sneakers. Mr. Johnson, 53, said that a forensic pathologist hired by the family, William R. Anderson, had found that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the right side of the boys neck, near the jaw. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation initially ruled the death accidental resulting from positional asphyxia, but Johnsons family alleges he was killed by two white students, their culpability shielded through a nefarious conspiracy. Johnson was found dead in a high school gym 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, Woman who said her baby died while co-sleeping now charged with murder, Ga. police say, No. A second autopsy, done at the family's request, determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the right side of Johnson's neck and the "manner of death was not an accident," according to federal investigators. EPs include Hill Harper, Elizabeth Hurwitz, Dia Sokol Savage, Kurt Engfehr, Lenny Beckerman, and Jenifer Lewis (Black-ish), who also narrates the film. [PHOTOS: Images included in Kendrick Johnson death findings report]. He clarified that the 17 boxes contain evidence pertaining to the federal investigation, and that his office already had access to the materials from the state's earlier investigation. Last month, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk released a 16-page document concluding that Kendrick Johnson's death was an accident and no charges would be filed. A spokesman in the Ohio office declined to comment. Possible new evidence presented He said they believe many of the answers to their questions such as about the state of his body when it was discovered are contained in those 17 boxes. Investigators saidJohnson died in a freak accident, becoming stuck upside down and unable to breathe after he felltrying to retrieve a shoe that was inside the upright mat. Anyone can read what you share. Lessons from History is a platform for writers who share ideas and inspirational stories from world history. The 17-year-old disappeared one afternoon and was found the next morning with his head facing down inside an upright rolled-up gym mat and his feet sticking out of the top. Kendrick Johnson sentenced to life in prison for 2018 shooting Kendrick Johnson Last month the sheriff's office received what Paulk described as 17 "filing cabinet boxes" of evidence including documents and hard drives. WebQuestions, investigations and lawsuits have abounded in the years since Johnson's body was discovered at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga., in January 2013. WebSheriff reopens investigation into death of Kendrick Johnson, found dead inside gym mat; Family of Kendrick Johnson continues to seek answers to questions that surround his Johnson was found dead on Jan. 11, 2013 inside of a tightly rolled gym mat by classmates at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Paulk reopened the case last year after the teenager's parents helped him obtain 17 boxes of evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice's case file on the boy's death. hide caption. He owns several businesses outside of his job as a sheriff, he said. It goes to show you the coverup is going on in this town, Kenneth Johnson said. Reach out at ramzywritersofficial@gmail.com. Mr. Johnson said Kendricks family remained committed to proving that Kendrick had been murdered. Video shows Johnson walking into and then through the gym on January 10, 2013. WebRyan Anthony comes forward with some information regarding what may have happened to Kendrick Johnson. It inspired a 2021 documentary questioning the findings of law enforcement officials and prompted calls for murder charges by Kendricks relatives, who believe he was killed by two white students at Lowndes High School. But still an accident? Thomas asked Paulk. Georgia Sheriff Reopens Case Into Teenager Found Dead in a The father was short on specifics but very vocal about continuing to push for answers in his sons death. That critical question has defied an easy answer since 2013, despite multiple investigations, autopsies and lawsuits. On January 11, 2013, the corpse of a teen, Kendrick Johnson was being discovered upside-down and folded up in a school gym mat under the most bizarre of conditions. "We regret that we were unable to provide [Johnson's family and friends] with more definitive answers about Kendrick's tragic death," Acting United States Attorney Carole Rendon said at the time. A sheriff's investigation determined there was no foul play in Kendrick Johnson's death in 20 13, but his parents believe there's a cover-up. The Johnsons have a GoFundMe account open to hire a private investigator to look into what they say is new evidence. I will fight as long as I have to uncover what exactly happened to Kendrick Johnson, Kenneth Johnson said. Its a weird accident, he said on Thursday, one day after he had released a 16-page report that detailed his findings and echoed the ruling made by a previous sheriff in 2013. WebFamily: New audio confession in Kendrick Johnson case handed to investigators 185,990 views Mar 19, 2021 3.8K Dislike Share 11Alive 851K subscribers The tape reportedly 17-year-student who was found dead in 2013 in a rolled-up gym mat, concluding that Kendrick Johnson's death was an accident and no charges would be filed, Feds to investigate mysterious teen gym mat death. The Justice Department closed the case in June 2016, saying it could not meet the high legal threshold needed to file federal criminal charges it would have needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone had killed Johnson, and was motivated by racial animus to do so. Coleman said he and Johnson's family felt the number of boxes was symbolic, as it matches the years of Johnson's short life. 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. It will be released in theaters nationwide later in the summer through Gravitas Ventures. To this day, no one knows where KJs organs have gone. Lowndes County sheriff's investigators concluded that he died in a freak accident, falling headfirst into an In 2016, federal prosecutors said that to bring a case to trial, they would have to show two things: that Kendrick had been killed, and that the killing had been motivated by racial animus.. Federal prosecutors began reviewing the case in 2013 after the family requested a separate investigation. "I dont really feel like theres anybody out there with knowledge and from what Ive seen I studied all the camera angles and everything else it was a tragic accident. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Officials interviewed nearly 100 people, scoured tens of thousands of emails and texts, reviewed surveillance videos from the high school and consulted with independent medical examiners. Kendrick Johnson Finding Kendrick Johnson was released on digital and VOD platforms last Friday, quickly becoming one of the top documentaries on iTunes. Police said they have no current plans to release the audio tape or a transcript. Authorities say he suffocated trying to retrieve a sneaker "I think this young man met with foul play," former FBI agent says. Paulktold Inside Edition Digitalthat there remains no evidence of foul play in the case. Parents say they are getting new evidence to prove Kendrick Johnson was killed, claim cover-up A sheriff's investigation determined there was no foul play in Kendrick Johnson's death in 20 13, but his parents believe there's a cover-up. You are not on the team of righteousness, the mother toldWSB-TV. Were not singing and dancing by no means, but theres only positivity right now, Marcus Coleman, a spokesman for the Johnson family, told WCTV at the time. On January 11, 2013, the corpse of a teen, Kendrick Johnson was being discovered upside-down and folded up in a school gym mat under the most bizarre of conditions. Police reopened the investigation into Johnsons death earlier this month, five years after the Department of Justice formally closed the original case after being unable to find enough evidence that someone or some group of people willfully violated Kendrick Johnsons civil rights or committed any other prosecutable federal crime.. His feet were visible from the top of the mat, the report said. Johnson was found dead on Jan. 11, 2013 inside of a tightly rolled gym mat by classmates atLowndes High School in Valdosta,Georgia. WebEight years ago, classmates at Lowndes High School in Valdosta found 17-year-old Kendrick Johnsons body inside an upright mat. Sheriff Paulk said the conflicting autopsy reports were complicated by a third autopsy conducted by the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner in 2014. A sheriffs investigation determined there was no foul play in Kendrick Johnsons death in 2013, but his parents believe theres a cover-up. Kendrick Johnson, then 17, was found in January 2013 at Lowndes County High School, stuck upside down in an upright mat behind the bleachers. Thats the craziest lie you could have told. Investigators claim that in the findings of the initial autopsy, Johnson's cause of Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. For years, the case has confounded residents in Valdosta, Ga., a city of about 56,000 in southern Georgia. He plans to re-interview some individuals and talk to new people, and has already conducted one interview this week, Paulk told WXIA. Sheriff Paulk said he had examined 17 boxes of evidence provided by prosecutors and investigators, including grand jury testimony. EXCLUSIVE: Was the death of African-American teenager Kendrick Johnson, whose body was found inside a rolled-up wrestling mat in a Valdosta, Georgia high school, a tragic accident or a case of murder? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. EXCLUSIVE: Was the death of African-American teenager Kendrick Johnson, whose body was found inside a rolled-up wrestling mat in a Valdosta, Georgia high school, a tragic accident or a case of murder? Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @AshesToAshTVDo you have a tip you'd like to give the Ashes To Ash team? In 2016, Sheriff Paulk, who had retired the year before Kendrick died, decided to run again for his old seat. "This will be the first time anybody's had everybody's evidence in one place, so I'm planning to go through every bit of it," Paulk said. Sheriff says case closed after his investigation finds Kendrick Johnsons death was no crime. 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. WebHis death has been ruled accidental and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation officially closed its investigation in June of 2020 but the family has long believed Johnson was murdered. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. The sheriff said Tuesday that while tragic, Johnson's death was just a "weird accident." Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk, who was retired at the time of Johnson's death, confirmed to NPR that his office officially reopened the investigation on Friday. Eight years after Kendrick Johnson, 17, was found upside-down in a large mat in his high school gym, the Lowndes County sheriff decided to reopen the case. Kendrick Johnson's body was found upside down in a rolled-up wrestling mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, on Jan. 11, 2013. Paulk told Inside Edition Digital that those case files had been what he had been waiting on and he combed through boxes with two other people whohad previously worked on the case. The federal investigation focused on the two students and another person, according to Sheriff Paulks report. Please email us at AshLand57@gmail.com, we can keep you anonymous. Even after the federal investigation, questions about Kendricks death persisted in Valdosta. Parents say they are getting new evidence to prove Kendrick 2nd Investigation Rules Death of Teen Kendrick Johnson Was a Freak Accident, Case of Kendrick Johnson, Georgia Teen Found Dead in Rolled-Up Gym Mat, Is Reopened by Sheriff's Office, Man Who Killed Young Police Officer in 1981 Was Serial Killer Who Murdered 4 Other Women, Cops Say DNA Reveals, Suspect Arrested for Home Invasion Murder of Jacqueline Avant, Music Execs Wife. The report said his body was head-down in a rolled-up mat that was positioned vertically. Assembling the case records for a new investigation. The death of a Black teenager whose body was found upside-down in a rolled-up gym mat at his Georgia high school in 2013 was an accident, the local sheriff announced this week, affirming a previous investigations finding that there was no evidence of foul play. One of the students investigated by prosecutors was on a bus headed to a wrestling match at the same time that Kendrick went into the gym, according to his report. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. We got many options. The sheriff says case closed again but he will reopen it if someone brings him verified new information. He reiterated he is not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, but wants to examine all the evidence together to make sure nothing was missed. The findings of Mr. Andersons autopsy, conducted five months after Kendricks death, contradicted the conclusions of the medical examiner at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who in 2013 issued an autopsy report that determined the cause of death was positional asphyxia, suggesting that Kendrick had become trapped upside-down in the rolled-up mat and had suffocated. Johnsons parents say students at the time of Kendricks death have started coming forward, providing new information they hope to use to reignite yet another official investigation. WebOn 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 Johnson's body was found in a wrestling mat Jan. 11, 2013, in the high school's gym in Valdosta, Georgia. It took 14 months to go through it, Paulk said. A family spokesperson told NPR they are "cautiously optimistic" after the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office reopened its investigation last week. VALDOSTA, Ga. The sheriff at the center of the Kendrick Johnson death case says his department has gone through the evidence extensively and found no crime. His initial request was denied, but the Johnson family continued their pursuit. After the release of my synopsis of the Federal files on the Kendrick Johnson case, his parents have called me a liar and continue to state that Kendrick was murdered," Lowndes County SheriffAshley Paulk said in a statement on Monday. WebFor years, rumors and controversy has swirled around the death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, a Georgia teen who was found dead inside a rolled-up gymnasium mat in 2013. Russ Bynum/AP Kendrick Johnsons murder was Edited by Jason Pollock and Kurt Engfehr, illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, and cinematography by Dennis A. 6 on Clayton County sheriffs top 10 most wanted list arrested while picking kids up, Prosecutors: Officer accused of killing 16-year-old used badge to steal nude photos from women, Large amounts of drugs, weapons, other contraband seized by Ga. correctional officers, Over 130 vehicles broken into, several guns stolen at Henry County apartment complexes. We already knew what team you were on. Now, his mom, Jackie, believes she has the confession tape and has turned it over to police. Death of Georgia Teen Found in Gym Mat Was Weird Accident, Teen Found Dead In A Gym Mat Pushes For Answers. Family: New audio confession in Kendrick Johnson case handed Body Parts Are Missing: Newly-Released Footage of Kendrick Sheriff Paulk said he planned to make all the evidence in the case, with the exception of the grand jury minutes, publicly available. WATCH LIVE Houston In October 2013, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced a federal criminal civil rights investigation into Johnson's death. Kendrick Johnson: Confession tape in death of high-schooler Kendrick Johnsons death has been the continued focus of headlines and theories nationwide. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Paulk met with the family on March 5 to tell them he had formally reopened the investigation. Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson stand next to a banner on their SUV showing their late son Kendrick, in Valdosta, Ga., in December 2013. Johnsons mother told Channel 2s Tony Thomas that shes not surprised by the findings. "Because of these statements, I am personally with my own funds offering a reward of one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) to anyone who comes forward with information that results in the arrest and conviction of a person for the alleged murder of Kendrick Johnson at Lowndes High School.". agent in Georgia.) WebOn January 11, 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson's body was found upside down in a rolled-up gym mat. If theres something else that somebody knows and doesnt feel like we looked at or studied, come sit down with us," the sheriff said. Coleman said the Johnsons believe their son was struck with an object "which was ultimately the start of his demise," and want his death certificate listed as blunt force trauma rather than asphyxiation. Upon returning to office, he said, he had pledged that if he could get all the files from state and federal agencies, he would go through them and look for discrepancies. The evidence does not produce anything to prove any criminal act by anyone that would have resulted in the death of Kendrick Johnson, Sheriff Paulks report said.