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 Official Site

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

 

[Ranch]

In the above synopsis there was testimony that additional mats were stored in the gym over the Christmas holidays which caused the mat that Kendricks shoes where in to be blocked and that prevented him from tilting the mat to retrieve his shoes as he had done in the past.

 

[GrandmaBear]

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I'm pretty sure I've never seen this. It is very helpful in seeing some things that I wondered about. It is clear now why he couldn't tip it over when inside it and it also shows why he couldn't tip it to get his shoes out from the bottom. It does bring new questions though. So they are renderings and were not photographed this way before he was found I take it. Understandable I guess with a search... Except it was probably already or could have been a crime scene since they had blood and his other shoes they probably found first...

The pictures make them look small and short like narrow long mats... They don't look taller than he or anyone would have been. Is it accurate that the mat was a few inches taller than him...? Or is it just the angle of the pictures that make them look short? They don't appear very high up the wall for height...

You don't have to answer if you don't know, I am just wondering "out loud"... I've read some things but haven't had the chance to dig and read all.

Also does anyone have any idea what is to the left of the mats?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Thank you! That makes that part at least make more sense, but nothing else. Who came up with the wording "lying against the wall"? That person does not need to be stating anything else publicly if this is the kind of info they are giving.

It does help and shows some things like why he couldn't tip it over.

The thing is some of these things are probably based on the word of one person versus another how the mats were. I don't even mean anything is incorrect or lied about necessarily (maybe so/maybe not) but there could be an account of how they were at the time of Kendrick's last known presence/class/game to the time they found him since others use the gym, had used the gym, been in and out of the gym, etc. Nothing had been shut down or secured from the afternoon he went missing to when he was found. I'm sure the school at some point probably got locked up for the night but I mean other than that it wasn't...

 

[Ranch]

I'm pretty sure I've never seen this. It is very helpful in seeing some things that I wondered about. It is clear now why he couldn't tip it over when inside it and it also shows why he couldn't tip it to get his shoes out from the bottom. It does bring new questions though. So they are renderings and were not photographed this way before he was found I take it. Understandable I guess with a search... Except it was probably already or could have been a crime scene since they had blood and his other shoes they probably found first...

The pictures make them look small and short like narrow long mats... They don't look taller than he or anyone would have been. Is it accurate that the mat was a few inches taller than him...? Or is it just the angle of the pictures that make them look short? They don't appear very high up the wall for height...

You don't have to answer if you don't know, I am just wondering "out loud"... I've read some things but haven't had the chance to dig and read all.

Also does anyone have any idea what is to the left of the mats?

The synopsis where the images came from was just released a couple of days ago. They made these renderings to help people visualize what things looked like before the mats were moved. They were moved when Kendrick was discovered. A coach pulled all of the mats out of the way to get to the rear one where Kendrick was. He didn't know that he was dead until he got a close look at him.

The synopsis I linked has other images showing the dimensions of the mats and the bleachers next to them. Kendrick could have used the bleachers to get up on top of the mats.

 

[GrandmaBear]

In the above synopsis there was testimony that additional mats were stored in the gym over the Christmas holidays which caused the mat that Kendricks shoes where in to be blocked and that prevented him from tilting the mat to retrieve his shoes as he had done in the past.

Okay. That helps maybe to clarify also. Are you saying kids left them in these mats over days and holidays? I assumed they got them after each "class" period or "gym event" and took them home or put them on. That would change things though if they were used for multiple days' storage like a locker. I'm surprised if so as anyone could steal them though or mess with them.

The problem remains however that of his four shoes, none were at the bottom of the rolled up mat with him and it takes away from the start his reason for going into the mat or ending up in the mat...

 

[Ranch]

Okay. That helps maybe to clarify also. Are you saying kids left them in these mats over days and holidays? I assumed they got them after each "class" period or "gym event" and took them home or put them on. That would change things though if they were used for multiple days' storage like a locker. I'm surprised if so as anyone could steal them though or mess with them.

The problem remains however that of his four shoes, none were at the bottom of the rolled up mat with him and it takes away from the start his reason for going into the mat or ending up in the mat...

From what I gather the kids had shoes that they only used for sports in the gym and left them in the mats because it was a pain to take them to their lockers.

The shoes were no longer at the bottom of the mat in the photographs for the same reason the mats are no longer in their original position. Everything got moved around when Kendrick was found.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The above images are renderings showing the configuration of the mats before they were moved.

Going to try to read this but it is going to have to be a few pages of the 16 total here and there. I really want to know what she says so I know if it has been addressed or not when I make comments. For now, I haven't read it yet and it may be awhile before I do. I plan on it though.

I see right off she has been a resident of that county all her life Also I was under the impression she was a new sheriff.

This doesn't make sense: She says she is a lifelong resident of the county and was not sheriff when this incident occurred. She then goes on to say she is on her sixth four year term as sheriff of their county. What??? He was found dead in 2013, 8-9 years ago. On her 6th term puts her as sheriff for over 20 years minimum. Not trying to be nitpicky but her first paragraphs make no sense. All I can figure is she means she was not sheriff consecutively in terms? It implies otherwise though. "on her 6th term". That's all I can think of? And in that case she has been in that office and around this department and more probably throughout. I thought she was new to the office, possibly a bit of an outsider for a fresh look at the case?

Honestly you don't investigate yourself. With the questions in this case, two other autopsies and more that show differently, why were they they ones doing the review of something they investigated in the first place that caused so many questions? Good Lord.

It may be a good and honest report and this case may well be an accident but the choices here make no sense to me if they want to put rumors and doubts to rest. People question THEIR investigation so THEY investigate and review? You would let an outside agency no? I realize outside agencies are involved but that's besides the point. They look bad because of choices and here they try to imply she is some brand new person in the office but she has been a sheriff there for six terms... Oh me oh my...

I'll stop there but already in the first page.... But I'll give it a full read at some point. And try to without bias. As she claims to have done too, have no bias,just as she wasn't sheriff... Or was she? She should have clarified two contradictory statements contained in one paragraph.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The synopsis where the images came from was just released a couple of days ago. They made these renderings to help people visualize what things looked like before the mats were moved. They were moved when Kendrick was discovered. A coach pulled all of the mats out of the way to get to the rear one where Kendrick was. He didn't know that he was dead until he got a close look at him.

The synopsis I linked has other images showing the dimensions of the mats and the bleachers next to them. Kendrick could have used the bleachers to get up on top of the mats.

Since these are things that have been wondered for about 9 years, they could have put this info out long ago like the mats rendering, etc. I hope to read the full synopsis but it likely won't be in full today.

 

[Ranch]

Paulk wins sheriff's race

VALDOSTA — Former sheriff Ashley Paulk will be the new Lowndes County sheriff after he earned 57 percent of the vote against incumbent Sheriff Chris Prine in Tuesday’s election.

www.valdostadailytimes.com

Paulk served as sheriff for four consecutive terms from 1993-2009, opting not to seek a fifth term to instead run for a seat on the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. He was the commission’s chairman from 2009-2013 before choosing not to seek a second term.

 

[kdg411]

Investigation into Georgia teen found dead in gym mat is closed without charges

Kendrick Johnson's body was found in a wrestling mat Jan. 11, 2013, in the Lowndes High School gym in Valdosta.

www.nbcnews.com

The report addresses a number of what Paulk calls "rumors and accusations," including claims of a cover-up. Paulk wrote that because so many federal and local agencies were involved, “any person who looks at this case objectively would know that it would be impossible to conceal any evidence.”

He said an FBI investigation also found that there was no cover-up or conspiracy.

This!

Paulk wrote that video inside the gymnasium showed Johnson “walking at a fast pace toward the area where the mats are stored” shortly before 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2013. That was the last time he was seen alive.

His body was discovered the next morning when a class entered the gym and sat on the bleachers next to the mats, the report says. Johnson's body was head-down in a rolled-up mat that was positioned vertically. The report says his feet were visible from the top of the mat.

A coach placed the mat in a horizontal position, “exposing the upper half of the torso," according to the sheriff's report.

So, the video showed no one else and clarified that the mat was in a vertical position. If his feet were indeed visible it seems likely that he thought he could just reach down & grab his shoes.

 

[Ranch]

This!

Paulk wrote that video inside the gymnasium showed Johnson “walking at a fast pace toward the area where the mats are stored” shortly before 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2013. That was the last time he was seen alive.

His body was discovered the next morning when a class entered the gym and sat on the bleachers next to the mats, the report says. Johnson's body was head-down in a rolled-up mat that was positioned vertically. The report says his feet were visible from the top of the mat.

A coach placed the mat in a horizontal position, “exposing the upper half of the torso," according to the sheriff's report.

So, the video showed no one else and clarified that the mat was in a vertical position. If his feet were indeed visible it seems likely that he thought he could just reach down & grab his shoes.

The main thing I got from the sheriffs synopsis is that there was no conspiracy to coverup a homicide.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Paulk wins sheriff's race

VALDOSTA — Former sheriff Ashley Paulk will be the new Lowndes County sheriff after he earned 57 percent of the vote against incumbent Sheriff Chris Prine in Tuesday’s election.

www.valdostadailytimes.com

Paulk served as sheriff for four consecutive terms from 1993-2009, opting not to seek a fifth term to instead run for a seat on the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. He was the commission’s chairman from 2009-2013 before choosing not to seek a second term.

I think because of the first name Ashley I just assumed the sheriff was female. That was what I was guessing it had to be that he was not sheriff then, or split terms were the thing, but for all intents and purposes he was throughout a part of the county system there and was sheriff before, after and I'm sure worked in and around all, etc. Born and raised, not young and not really "new" either. I think they would have done better, jmo, to have someone else do it, not their own county and not their own, not even a neighboring county imo. It's kind of like policing one's own and even if there is nothing wrong and he did a truly good and unbiased job, with all of the questions in this case, I don't think it was the best choice.

I appreciate your posting these things and info, easy to look for in the thread to read and watch later even when one has time.

 

[Ranch]

I think because of the first name Ashley I just assumed the sheriff was female. That was what I was guessing it had to be that he was not sheriff then, or split terms were the thing, but for all intents and purposes he was throughout a part of the county system there and was sheriff before, after and I'm sure worked in and around all, etc. Born and raised, not young and not really "new" either. I think they would have done better, jmo, to have someone else do it, not their own county and not their own, not even a neighboring county imo. It's kind of like policing one's own and even if there is nothing wrong and he did a truly good and unbiased job, with all of the questions in this case, I don't think it was the best choice.

I appreciate your posting these things and info, easy to look for in the thread to read and watch later even when one has time.

The sheriff's first name threw me off too. The sheriff asked to get the DOJ investigation records to review and the feds denied his request. After years of delay he finally got those records and launched his investigation. I don't think he could have convinced another agency to do this review.

Lowndes County Sheriff’s office reviewing all files in Kendrick Johnson’s case

The spokesperson for the family of Kendrick Johnson said they are feeling hopeful and thankful after the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office announced that it had reopened the case of Kendrick’s death.

www.wistv.com

Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said he feels happy to finally have the documents after requesting them a few years ago.

In April 2019, Sheriff Paulk sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, requesting federal investigative files be released. However, a few months later, it was denied.

 

[Regina]

From what I gather the kids had shoes that they only used for sports in the gym and left them in the mats because it was a pain to take them to their lockers.

I've read that students had to pay for lockers, but regardless of whether that's true, I can see where stashing them there might have been just simply more convenient.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The sheriff's first name threw me off too. The sheriff asked to get the DOJ investigation records to review and the feds denied his request. After years of delay he finally got those records and launched his investigation. I don't think he could have convinced another agency to do this review.

Lowndes County Sheriff’s office reviewing all files in Kendrick Johnson’s case

The spokesperson for the family of Kendrick Johnson said they are feeling hopeful and thankful after the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office announced that it had reopened the case of Kendrick’s death.

www.wistv.com

Interesting. You know, the part in the one article about the POIs being the sons of an FBI officer and then about his house being searched and him resigning is something that is hard to overlook or not wonder about. It didn't give much further explanation but there must be something more to it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I've read that students had to pay for lockers, but regardless of whether that's true, I can see where stashing them there might have been just simply more convenient.

I can see that somewhat. It isn't hard for me to believe the teens used them that way, particularly after learning they just tipped them to get the things our from the bottom. It is all of the other things that go along with that, what he was doing and how he was found and more that is hard to shake.

So I accept some may have had this practice. I do wonder if the practice was to leave them there always or all day or just for the period in the gym.

 

[Regina]

The main thing I got from the sheriffs synopsis is that there was no conspiracy to coverup a homicide.

Thanks for posting that, although I can't say I was surprised by any of the info, or informed of anything I didn't already know, but circumstances as I'd understood them were confirmed...
I'd read prior that the student who made the discovery had crawled onto the mats from those bleachers before having seen anything... and that that student or one also present at the time reported seeing the folder and booklet...
I guess I'd like to know those statements, although they wouldn't impact my opinion...

I like how the sheriff addressed proper/improper questioning during the course of an investigation! It reminded me of something I heard a long time ago, which is, don't ask "did you see anything unusual", but "what did you see?" and not "did you see anyone suspicious", but "who did you see?"

 

[Ranch]

Interesting. You know, the part in the one article about the POIs being the sons of an FBI officer and then about his house being searched and him resigning is something that is hard to overlook or not wonder about. It didn't give much further explanation but there must be something more to it.

Was there any evidence found that the FBI agents sons were responsible for Kendricks death? I've seen some alibi evidence for the one son who had been in a fight with Kendrick years before but I haven't heard of any evidence that implicates him.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This!

Paulk wrote that video inside the gymnasium showed Johnson “walking at a fast pace toward the area where the mats are stored” shortly before 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2013. That was the last time he was seen alive.

His body was discovered the next morning when a class entered the gym and sat on the bleachers next to the mats, the report says. Johnson's body was head-down in a rolled-up mat that was positioned vertically. The report says his feet were visible from the top of the mat.

A coach placed the mat in a horizontal position, “exposing the upper half of the torso," according to the sheriff's report.

So, the video showed no one else and clarified that the mat was in a vertical position. If his feet were indeed visible it seems likely that he thought he could just reach down & grab his shoes.

1. Did they release the video? They should have and should now to put that much to rest. How fast of a pace? Panicked? Just normal hurry to get to the next class, etc.? Alone throughout the footage? Just asking.
2. This confirms he was head first which I thought was the case all along.
3. Then why are his shoes on the end near his feet and the other shoes were found outside the mat? What shoes was he going for? Two pairs/four shoes and NONE were at the bottom of this rolled up mat.
4. I guess it is possible no one sat on the bleachers until then or saw his feet but it was said other classes or practices were held before that and no one noticed anything. I guess not even a shoe and blood. So that day someone sat in a position where they saw his feet.

This may give a time frame of him heading for the mat or mat area but that's all imo. And if there is camera coverage of this, is there footage of an hour and even all day and the next from this same camera in this gym?

I have yet to read that full download so if some of these questions are answered satisfactorily, I am just unaware of it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

From what I gather the kids had shoes that they only used for sports in the gym and left them in the mats because it was a pain to take them to their lockers.

The shoes were no longer at the bottom of the mat in the photographs for the same reason the mats are no longer in their original position. Everything got moved around when Kendrick was found.

So are you saying it is a fact that LE placed the shoes tucked up behind his legs to one side in the mat to take this picture? Why? They would be going for a picture as he was found if anything and where the shoes were. Or that the coach or student did it? Why? Take shoes from down near his head/arms (the shoes he allegedly was going to retrieve and from the other end) and move them from his body to the feet end and tuck them there? Why? That makes no sense to me.