KENDRICK JOHNSON: Death of teen at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, GA - 2013 - murder or accidental?

Johnson’s 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 his death. If authentic, the audio may be one of the first significant clues to emerge since the case’s reopening earlier this month by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators declined to comment on what's said in the audio but confirmed they’re now tracking down the individual who allegedly sold the tape to Johnson’s mother.

'A Burden Like Hell': New Audio May Contain Confession In Kendrick Johnson’s Mysterious Death | Oxygen

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.

www.oxygen.com

 

[kdg411]

 

[kdg411]

 

[kdg411]

Investigators said the initial autopsy found Johnson's cause of death was accidental asphyxiation when he got stuck in the mat while trying to retrieve a shoe. Family believes he was murdered by schoolmates, and have had two subsequent autopsies conducted, both of which showed blunt force trauma as the cause of death.

Family of Georgia teen found dead in gym mat reacts to case being reopened

A family spokesperson says it’s a step in the right direction, and hope results show what they've long suspected: something insidious happened to Kendrick Johnson.

www.11alive.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Thanks for starting this thread too! I saw that Ash was doing a series on him. Definitely going to be watching. I remember this case from a while ago. I think we maybe had a thread before?

My initial thoughts are that I do believe it was probably an accident. But I'll be very interested in seeing what Ash digs up.

 

[Mel70]

WOW. I remember reading about this case a long time ago. I'd forgotten about it. A case is hot for awhile and then more cases happen and you don't hear about it anymore and you forget. And their cases should never be forgotten.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I must remember this from the old site. I can't see this being an accident for some reason. I certainly could be wrong though.

 

[Mel70]

I must remember this from the old site. I can't see this being an accident for some reason. I certainly could be wrong though.

Yeah. I agree. Doesn't make sense.

 

[Guess Who]

Thanks for starting this thread too! I saw that Ash was doing a series on him. Definitely going to be watching. I remember this case from a while ago. I think we maybe had a thread before?

My initial thoughts are that I do believe it was probably an accident. But I'll be very interested in seeing what Ash digs up.

we had a discussion before the crash.

 

[Guess Who]

I must remember this from the old site. I can't see this being an accident for some reason. I certainly could be wrong though.

i don't remember the details, but I was leaning to foul play

 

[GrandmaBear]

i don't remember the details, but I was leaning to foul play

I just remember there were enough surrounding details or things that made one wonder. And then just the circumstances themselves are highly unusual.

 

[Kimster]

I’ve never looked into this case, but I’ve always been curious. I’ll have to watch the Ash to Ash vlogs and see what she comes up with, too.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Just watched the first two episodes. Not much yet, just backstory and whatnot.

I didn't like the Sheriff's comment about blood in the gym. Something about "when you play basketball there's going to be blood." I guess it would depend on how much and where, but no. And in a suspicious death investigation, that should be tested no matter where you THINK it came from. Didn't like him in general though. Maybe it was just me but it seemed like he was using the interview as an opportunity to campaign. Look what I've done! Look what I'm doing! I'm a great guy. Nobody ever accused me of lying. Etc.

Not sure what I think about the "tape" that was mentioned. I'm sure they'll talk about it more. But the fact that the family PAID for it makes me think it was someone using it as a hoax.

 

[Skitt]

I must remember this from the old site. I can't see this being an accident for some reason. I certainly could be wrong though.

I have never figured out how anyone would fall down into the rolled mat .... dump the "tube" on it's side and use a long-handled object if necessary to reach the shoe. If a mat was rolled into a tube shape, how much open area would actually be in the center --- enough to hold a full-grown adolescent? It shouldn't cause traumatic injuries, but more likely smothering I would thing.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I remember crawling into rolled up gym mats (on their side) as a child. Certainly depends on how "well" they were rolled up as to how much space there would be. I can't imagine doing it as a teenager. But looking at the pictures of the mat in question, he could have easily fallen in IMO.

But also, I have a hard time imagining one person rolling up a wrestling mat on their own. Those things are not light, nor easy to roll. Let alone with a body inside...

Like I said, I don't have a set opinion necessarily, nor am I advocating for accident over murder. I'm very interested to see where this case goes. But as of right now, I'm having a hard time making things fit a murder.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

LCSO: Recorded 'confession' in Kendrick Johnson case fake

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office says the audiotape that was claimed to contain a confession in the death case of Kendrick “KJ” Johnson is fake.

www.wtxl.com

 

[Mel70]

Sorry. But that is dumb paying for the tape. That's a red flag it's a hoax. The people that perpetrated the hoax are absolute scum. You prey upon grief. You need a special azz kicking and a good long dose of karma.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Not a ton directly about Kendrick in that latest episode.
Interesting talk about how many places handle the job of coroner. Not all, but many places you have to have very little formal training. You just have to be 18 with a high school diploma or GED. I'd heard it before but forgot. Kind of shocking for that kind of position to be honest.