Meet Kendrick Johnson, 17, 0f Valdosta, Georgia.
Kendrick Johnson
This handsome young man was found deceased inside of a stack of rolled mats…in his school gym.
Hmmmmm…
Weird enough for you yet?
No?
Ok…Lemme give you the rest of the story…
January 10th started off as any other day in the Johnson home.
Kendrick arrived at his Lowndes High School with other students, ready to mark the day with knowledge, flirting, and fun…
But at some point during the third and fourth block, Kendrick somehow disappeared.
Apparently no one noticed that Kendrick was missing for the rest of the day.
No teacher.
No student.
Lowndes High School, in Valdosta, Georgia
Because no one noticed Kendrick’s absence until his father became worried that his child hadn’t returned home.
Kendrick’s father, Kenneth Johnson reported him missing to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department that evening.
On Friday morning, Jan. 11, janitors at Lowndes High School found Kendrick…
He was upside down in the mat and is believed to have passed out due to the blood flow to his head for an extended period of time, which could ultimately lead to a stroke or heart failure, the report says.
Kendrick ‘KJ’ Johnson
Officers say that during the investigation, they learned that Kendrick Johnson went into the gymnasium and appears to have climbed on top of the mats which were standing upright. At some point Kendrick Johnson either reached into the center of one of the rolled mats or fell into the center opening of the mat and became lodged. Investigators found no signs of a struggle having taken place. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office have and will continue to interview students and friends who may be able to provide information.
This is where the family of Kendrick says that things take a turn.
Kenneth Johnson, a local television news station that he believes his son was murdered.
“I want to express how did my son go missing during school hours in broad daylight? We know our son was murdered while he was at Lowndes High School. We do know that,” Johnson told WALB.
In Johnson’s case, the medical examiner’s office is also running toxicology tests, which can take weeks to complete, before determining the exact cause of death. The sheriff said he does not expect to see a full report on the cause of death for at least a month.
Student athlete, KJ Johnson.
Anastasia Roe, the teen’s aunt, said her nephew was a good student who ran track and played football. She said he was the life of the party, but reserved when he met new people.
She said information that the family received from the school and the sheriff’s office about how the teen was found was inconsistent, and that lead to some in the community to ask questions.
“First we heard he was on the floor near the mat, then we hear he was wrapped in the mat,” she said. “It’s suspicious.”
Authorities began their investigation as Lowndes High students texted and posted on Facebook regarding the death. For a period, no one could enter or leave Lowndes High. Numerous parents arrived to pick up their children. Classes continued throughout Friday and parents were eventually allowed inside to pick up their children.
Sheriff’s and GBI investigators initially worked the scene as a suspected homicide. The sheriff’s office and Lowndes County School System issued a statement of suspecting no foul play by Friday night.
Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine asks that anyone with information about this, or any other incident contact the Sheriff’s Office, (229) 671-2950; or on line at http://www.lowndessheriff.com. Anonymous tips can be left at (229) 671-2985.
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I’ve heard of some odd death scenes…
Hell, one of my favorite shows is 1000 Ways To Die.
But this is an odd one.
The ‘fell into the floor mats’ story is plausible…
But fishy nonetheless…
Imagine being in high school as a popular track star, basketball teammate, and football player.
Is it possible to just disappear during school hours without being noticed?
Let me ask you:
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All articles used for this post are sited.
Da Lethal Tongue 
man that fuck up well be miss love you my boy
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that doesnt make any sense.
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This was Murder…you dont just fall into Mats….Take a walk with me down this path.
Investigators speculate that he was walking on top of the mats (ok, i have done this before) and his foot became lodged in a mat and his show fell down in the shoe sizzed hole and he went in after it…are these mats paper mache? you dont unravel mats by trying to squeeze into them. How many mats was he walking on? Why was he there? No one says ” i think i will go walk on mats” he was there with people.
Ok so we have looked at what the investigators have put together…how about this scenario-
there were no signs of a struggle but he was able to make a shoe sized hole into a person sized hole? keep in mind that if you are walking on mats you are not going to step into a hole right??? you would step over it (logicaly). I think this was a prank gone wrong, he was pressured into getting rolled up and was left for dead. this makes more ene than anything else….The police need to look into this.
I wrestled for eight years and i know how we rolled mats…it took more than one person, they are heavy, and you didnt stack them standing up, you placed them horizontal to the ground. why am i the only one that can see a flaw with their outcome???????
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preach lowndes county knows what happen they work together but whats done in the dark comes to the light.
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I think you’re absolutely right!
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I don’t know the young man, but are not the only person to see it just the only one to speak on it. Somebody knows what happened. I watch to much First 48 not to know that somebody was there.
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Your so right someone murdered this student cause even if he fell in like they supposely said he would of still survive standing up or laying horizontally a mat can’t cause damage to someone head unless someone pull the zipper or lose material apart and they still takes time. The police just don’t feel that student deserves justice its not that important to keep going to find the killer.
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exactly and this child was into sports, well known; are they saying he went in here right by himself?
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Wow ” a prank gone wrong” when reading this story, I thought the same thing. It seems like some students were playing around and he got left. It’s funny how his friends wouldn’t miss him or wonder where he was for the rest of the school day. I myself was a victim of a gym room accident in my sophomore year of High School. We were in the gym unsupervised and I was hit in the head with one of those weighted gymnastic rings that hung from the ceiling. After the impact I collapsed shook uncontrollably and had a gash in my head that bled profusely. Luckily the students ran for help, they returned with a teacher from another class. The paramedics arrived & I took an ambulance ride to the ER. I received several stitches and still suffer headaches today. This is a very very sad tragic story but, I really think they need to Question those students, over and over and over again.
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100% Correct
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thx 4 your clarification b/c as i’m reading the explanations given in the article i thought i was mistaken in what kind of mats he was found in. i don’t understand how one would get rolled into a gym mat. their super thick, aren’t they? and i’ve never seen one rolled before. just laying flat and stacked on the floor.
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I think we can all see that this is a weird occurrence. Obviously, there mats were stored upright. The mats were where they were. I don’t know how he got inside that mat but surely if a few someone s had put him into the center of the mat, the mats would have been disturbed which I don’t believe they were. It is very odd. Bring in the Feds.
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R.I.P Kendrick Johnson may ur family heart be at rest
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That boy was murdered and I hope the NAACP gets involved. I live in Valdosta and he was my best friend’s cousin. Rumor has it that he got into an altercation with the sheriff’s son the night before and they set him up in the gym the next day and jumped him… It’s a shame what people get away with in these little hick towns, but I’m teling you, stuff like this happen all the time in the dirty dirty south, that’s all I’m going to say about it. SMH
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altercation with the sheriffs son cnn cnn cnn cnn cnn whomeva did it needs the chair whomeva help needs to riot whats done in the dark comes to the light may God bring it to the light
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wow
if there was any case that would make me want to become a lawyer to seek justice.. this would be it.. the sheriff’s sons need to be investigated and lie detector tested.
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I totally agree with that
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I believe that @Jesse.
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Sounds like the “good ol’ boy system” full force! I’m from Mississippi and don’t I know all too well! I hope that this case gets justice! This kid did not deserve to die this way and family left with no answers. Why is our society this way? Why our kids? I’ll be praying for this family!
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Is there a rally or protest coming up? Someone let me know something.
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Question: So the sheriff and his son is white, And they’re using the stacked mat s*** as a cover up? knowing full well you leave rolled staked mats standing up. Yes sir Jessie. The NAACP need to get involved!!!!
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typo; you leave rolled stacked mats standing up any fool know that!
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Sheriff. Has no. Son. Or. Grandson at. That. School. Quit. Spreading lies!
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This I do believe..
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You live there! Great! What is the make up of the Sheriff’s family? Does he have a family and children?
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man fuck these crackers
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Fuck you you racist motherfucker.
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if you a member of the armed forces why would you let these people take you out of charcter unless you are racist too. please show respect for that uniform you wear. that is all turn 2 carry out orders.
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be mindful of what you say you will have to deal with white people all your life may even be put in a situation to need help from a white person. think about that before you say fuck them all. Karma is crazy it will have you reliying on the very thing you dispise. change your heart before you reside in hell.
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alot of folks contacting cnn go to facebook and make the phone call
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see lowndes county thinking little town wont nothing be done so as a people we get together and show them different justice shall be served.
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WHY IS HIS FACE IN THAT CONDITION SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE
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Even if he was hanging up side down wouldn’t cause the damage that was done on his face and why would he be all alone in a gym he had practice alone ? Yeah right
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There is no way it was an accident! What they are not showing u is the pictiure of his face. This young man was severely beaten
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mat or no mat how the hell did his face get like that. That is blunt trauma all over his face. where are his eyes his lips. get real you damn police are lazy asswhips.
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For Kendrick to have been as popular as he was and to have gone unnoticed all day is absolutely unacceptable!!!!! This young man was clearly murdered, my theory is that he was lured away to the location where he was found deceased. Where were the security cameras? R.I.P. KJ…..
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Im thinking someone probably jumped him first and then maybe put him in the mats probably not knowing he was gonna die. But yeah whoever did should still be responsible
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My heart goes out to this young mans family. Father God in heaven, I come to you as humbly as I know how asking that the hands of righteousness prevail. Bless his family and keep them strong. In Jesus name I pray. I do believe there is foul play involved.
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Alright, if he was murdered then who did it? What was the motive? Its very easy for someone to disappear in High School without anyone noticing- isn’t that how people skip school anyway? It sounds like a horrible accident and the family is just so overcome with grief they are looking for a better explanation to his death than pure coincidence. My condolensces go out to them.
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So you believe he went into the gym by himself and performed at stunt alone. Most stunts are performed for an audience otherwise it makes no sense to do it if there’s no one to wtness. Didn’t he have teeth missing coming on wether he was murdered or it was an accident there was foul play because someone else was there. What kid skips class on his own just to go in the gym a walk on mats get for rea.l
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This article leaves out the fact that the boy’s face was unrecognizable when they found him.
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That. Was. Bécause. Blood. Pooled in head! Look it up in Medical book
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my condolences go out to the family! I really feel in my heart that this was murder and nobody…especially no child deserves to die this way! The court system is all messed up and anybody would knw that it is almost impossible to go missing at a highschool during school hours! I’m saddene
d and sickened @ this eerie story because he was playing sports and doing positive things but I’m going to assume that because he was black it isn’t being taken serious enough!….may the lord be with his mommy and family and may this bright handsome and talented young man have peace and justice in the name of jesus I pray. Amen
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i’m not trying to say the pd’s don’t lie and cover up… but i’ve read every article i could find on this and most of the comments and i’ve yet to see anyone with a theory as to WHY the pd would try to cover up a murder of this young man…. we’re quick to believe in wrong doing by these people… and many times with good reason… but even they have reasons for what they do… i’m not hearing one here… at least not as of yet….
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How in the world would a child fall into an 8ft mat…how can he go allday being unnoticed…okay ???? Where were is friends??? Someone saw what happened and they are afraid to come out…check his friend…jealousy and envy kills alot of souls.
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An athlete falling down in-between gym mats and dying sounds rediculous, this kid was murdered and the authorities know this, and need to investigate this as if it was a white kid that was killed, this was a good kid and his family needs closure,
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This is a sad story. I do not believe this young ATHELETE has fallen ACCIDENTLY into a mat! Come on people! Feril?? There’s a cover up. Look at his face in the picture! He was BEATEN! I want to tell the family that I’m sorry this happened to their loved one. I will include you all in my prayers for a proper investigation and closure in the case. Speaking of… don’t most schools have video cameras in the classes?? Here n Tx where I live we do! Check it out. As for racist, idk. For sure prejudisim… good luck. My prayers go out!!
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Man that poor baby was murdered. And why don’t that school got Security or cameras. That don’t sound right. I don’t know much about him do I can’t say what he was into but still where do the cops come in covering that up. I think every student and authority figure at that school should be responsibe. Well not every but anyone who he came in contact before 3rd or 4th block
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Have you SEEN the photo of this young man’s face when he was found? There is NO WAY this was an accidental death. They beat this boy dead, and now are trying to cover it up! I pray for his family and friends, that they may find peace and justice.
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sorry that this happened to all family and friends… much love from me
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Plz let me know if they find the ppl who did this to that boy… My heart n prayers go out to all his family n friends…
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This just doesn’t add up……..
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This story is not adding up right because for one thing how can they rule out foul play if you see his face it looks like he was beat to death if it was accidental death theres no way he would have been rolled up in the mat like that and for two how does he go missing in broad day light and three if he was missing missing kids get murdered im not understanding this at all aint no way this was his doing when he looks to be beating to death r.i.p lil one justice will be served god bless
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As it sounds to me…ITS MURDER!!! If you actually fall in a set of mats, your face would not be disfigured even if blood does flow to it; a little swollen but not disfigured. If he did in fact get into an argument with the sheriff’s son then that would explain why they are not calling it a homicide. Because more than likely the sheriff’s son has something to do with it. If it were my child, I would not let it rest until the truth comes out. Please understand, I am NOT blaming the sheriff’s son because I was not there but if those facts are true then he SHOULD be considered a suspect. And if he is considered a suspect, the FBI should be called in to investigate because that would be a conflict of interest being that he is the sheriff’s son.
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This a damn shame America has no justice
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typo; sorry, its my stupid phone its types on its own. “DON”T LEAVE” stacked rolled mats standing up!!!!!!!!
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looking at his photo on facebook i dont know if anyone noticed that his forehead is not touched but the rest of his face is squashed must be heavy mats or people or person has jumped on the mats or maybe joke has gone wrong either way up and coming taken away like this a popular person there also will be alot of haters too think about it. GOD BLESS THE DEAD.
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THERE IS NO WAY THIS YOUNG MAN DID THIS TO HIMSELF. I SEE MURDER ALL DAY LONG. I SAW A BE 4 AND AFTER PIC OF THIS YOUNG MAN, THERE IS NO WAY U LOOK THE WAY HE DID IN 1 DAY ROLLED IN A MAT. R.I.P K.J AND I HOPE THE FAMILY GETS JUSTICE. SRRY 4 UR LOSS MY PRAYS 4 THE FAMILY!
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An athlete can’t fight himself out of a stack.of mats? I find that hard to believe….. My condolences to his family and friends.
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kendrick was murdered.. there is no ands or buts about it.. rest in peace baby boy .. justice will be served
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I feel terrible for this family. My son attends Valdosta High (the other public high school in Valdosta) and is the same age as Kendrick. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see this. I drove downtown today and honked for the family holding signs to support the investigation. I remember when the case first broke it said it was a homicide and the school was on lock down. By the end of the day they said no foul play. That alone that day struck me as wrong. I hope there is justice for this young man. My heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless.
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Living in Valdosta, can you tell us if the Sheriff has a son? Does he have daughters. Is the story thru that the Sheriff’s supposed son was involved with a girl that Kendrick was involved with? Is there any reason for either the LE or ME office to effect any kind of cover up? What’s the word on the street?
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This story is very sad to me. Every time i see the link i click on it. I mean the BS that they are saying happened does not make sense at all. I would love to see them re-enact this but i know for sure it won’t happen and then they will have another bogus story that won’t make sense either. Then they are gonna try and pay the mother a shit load of money as if that will make her happy. I’ve heard these stories so many times…..still a very racist society WE live in today
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This sounds very strange, as a parent I too would demand answers! It doesnt add up at all. I’m praying thay God will reveal the truth in this because that baby didnt deserve to lose his life so soon!!! God knows what really happened, and if there was any wrong doing, he will reveal it all! I pray for justice, and peace within the hearts of this family! I’m a mother of three boys, and they are the reason I exsist so I cant imagine what this family is enduring! I’m.so sorry you had to loose your baby like this! I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over this situation, and I pray for you all to be strengthened throughout this ordeal in Jesus name Amen….
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the photos taken at the scene also doesn’t match the story. He looks to have been beat badly.
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If he was white..it wouldn’t be foul play for them…it would be murder…this story here its not to be swept up under the rug…somebody knows what happened…the Lord sees everything..justice will be served…Karma is coming back to them 10 fold…Have mercy on their souls…smh…
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Father in the name of Jesus, we pray that you strengthen the families that lost their love one, speack to their minds and hearts for comfort, Lord we pray that you help them find whatsoever their looking for, in the name of Jesus, make them strong in the face of the enemy case them to crush and destroy the devil play grounds for your glory. God we know that you see everything that goes on in heaven and in earth, Father trouble the people minds that had something to do with Brother K.J DEATH, CAUSE THEM TO COME FORTH WITH THE TRUTH MAKE THEM CONFESS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WAS WRONG. FATHER WE PRAY FOR A BREAK THROUGH FOR THE JOHNSON FAMILY IN JESUS NAME AMEN AND THANK GOD. GOD we pray for forgiveness, and peace even in the mist of the storms of our lifes.
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My heart is heavy for the family. May God continue to keep you all. My advise is to never give up and continue to fight for justice. It seems to be a cover up and Kendrick with everything going for himself did not deserve to have his life taken in this manner. Justice for Kendrick. No man, lady, boy, or girl have the right to take a life that was given by God. R.I.P. Kendrick is with the angels in the sky.
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His guardians stated he bacame reserved in his actions when he found a new set of friends,Its possible these new set of friends had something to do with his death
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well all i can say I’m glad I was born in the UK , it could never happen here even when the whites out number the blacks but there is a justified system and on one is above the law , learn USA corrupted law establishment
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What does whites out numbering blacks have anything to do with this subject? You saying “it could never happen here” sounds insane. Death doesnt care what race, class, religion or age preference.
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What I dont understand is how not one soul realized he was gone after 4th period. Granted its been sometime since I was in high school , but attendance was taken each period and turned in at the end of the day. If you popped up absent from a period, there had better be a note on file saying you were picked up by an adult. If not a phone call was made home and informed your parents you missed a certain period and without an excuse note you would surely get detention.
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They said their was no sign of struggle which seems fishy because if I was stuck somewhere I would be fighting to get out, he could not have died instantly. This is really weird.
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I do hope an outside authority comes in and investigates what happened and gets to the bottom of it, I have children and I would want some definite closure..I don’t however agree with people saying if he was white it woulda been foul play, let’s say for a second the sheriff is covering it up to save his son do you think he cares what color the victim was..of course not, not when or if he is trying to protect his own son, don’t use every opportunity to cry racism thats ignorant
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Maybe it was a gang initiation gone worse than wrong. Makes more sense than saying it was the Klan or racists.
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A lot of people are say on gang this gang that if you knew him like us students at LHS you would know that’s bs. He had no part of things like that. I’ve seem him in situations dealing with people in gangs and he cut strings With people like that. He was a good guy with a bigger heart than anyone I kno
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My heart goes out to this family as well.
The family may want to hire a toxicologist from another state. Someone who don’t have any dealings with Georgia. The whole story do not add up. I’m not sure how his teeth was before he passed, but the after picture looks like he may have teeth missing. His face looks like he was beaten. ..period. Yea, the family is gonna have to hire a lawyer who’s not affiliated with Georgia also.
A young man by the name of Kylen English, in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, died in the hands of the police. They ruled it suicide, because they said he jumped off the bridge. That’s not even the half of it. Kylen was in the back seat, handcuffed. The police said Kylen broke the window with his head, jumped out the window (all while handcuffed) and jumped over the bridge…still handcuffed. ..that story Do not add up….Kylen was an aspiring singer…he’s on YouTube. .very talented…my point is, his parents had to hire Lawyers out of Ohio to fight their case…both stories very sad. And what’s worse is, there are other stories similar to these, and it seems we don’t get No Justice….again, my heart goes out to KJ’s family…..
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I knew Kendrick. He was a sweet guy!! There is no way in hell that was foul play! Someone hurt that baby and HE deserves justice!! I never knew anyone that didn’t like him. I can only imagine how I would be if someone hurt my son or daughter. Y’all go get the answers y’all deserve! Ill be standing behind the Johnson’s 100%. RIP: Kendrick. We love you !!! :”'(
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The facility should be held accountable.
The teachers should have called roll for each
and every class period, a phone call should have taken place, asking his family about his absence, or the teacher should have asked the other students “HAVE YOU SEEN KJ TODAY?” If all students are in a classroom, the gym should have been locked!!! Unused areas should be locked, some students will stray. I’m not saying KJ strayed, but certain actions would have prevented this child’s murder. I say to the family, PRAY, GOD WILL REVEAL HIS MURDERS!!! THE UNJUST WILL NEVER PROSPER OR REST!! Every the unjust murders and police department close their eyes, the will see KJ’s face.
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No sign of struggle??? You are looking at more than one person for this crime. He look to be a well nourished, strong and healthy athlete… Jealousy Kills!! Start with his coaches and teammates first!!!
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omg you people saying it was a cover up for the sheriffs son, he doesn’t even have a son! I hate small towns bc of bullshit rumors like this
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