Third autopsy results show ‘non-accidental’ damage to boy found dead in rolled up in gym mat

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - WALB has obtained autopsy results of the third autopsy done on Kendrick “K.J." Johnson.

In what appears to be an addendum to the second autopsy report, done in June of 2013, it was determined Johnson’s cause of death was non-accidental blunt force trauma to his right neck and right thorax, which is the body cavity between the neck and abdomen.

The third autopsy also contradicts the findings of the first autopsy, which determined the cause of death as positional asphyxia.

Although there were additional findings in the autopsy done by Forensic Dimensions, that revealed blunt force trauma was found to Johnson’s right chest, it’s one affidavit that makes it’s way to the forefront.

According to that affidavit provided by Johnson’s parents, on February 9th of 2018, a witness gave their testimony stating that an acquaintance confessed that another person killed Johnson.

An excerpt from the document, where all names have been removed to protect identities, states "The person struck Kendrick Johnson in the neck with a 45lb. weight or dumbbell.

It went on to say that an agent in someway,“facilitated the editing of the high school’s surveillance video by corrupting or deleting some one hour and twenty-five minutes of the original recording.”

K.J.’s mother, Jackie Johnson says these documents, the autopsy, affidavits among other findings have been passed on to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and is hoping to get the case re-opened.

Members of Johnson’s family protested the original autopsy findings, believing he was murdered.

Johnson’s body was exhumed for the second time for the third autopsy in June.

Johnson’s body was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes County High School in January 2013.

This is a developing story and WALB will update as more information becomes available.

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