Nationwide — The family of Kendrick Johnson, who died in a high school gym in Valdosta, Georgia, back in 2013, has had their $1 billion lawsuit against law enforcement and local agencies dismissed. The case raised long-standing questions about how Kendrick died and whether authorities mishandled the investigation.
Kendrick was 17 when he was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School. Officials ruled his death an accident, saying he suffocated while reaching for shoes inside the mat. The family, however, has long claimed foul play, accusing local authorities, including the GBI and the school district, of covering up the truth.
According to 11Alive, the lawsuit centered on key evidence, including school surveillance footage. An independent analyst said the video appeared altered, with missing clips. The judge noted the family filed their lawsuit nearly ten years after the footage became public, exceeding the two-year statute of limitations.
Other concerns focused on the initial investigation. The local coroner said law enforcement offered poor cooperation, and Kendrick’s body had been moved and opened before he could examine it. A sheriff’s report later suggested the mat opening was smaller than Kendrick’s shoulders, supporting the accidental death ruling. Outside autopsies pointed to blunt force trauma, and recently discovered photos hinted at a possible skull fracture.
The judge dismissed the suit against four defendants, including the GBI, Lowndes County, and two media outlets. The GBI is protected by sovereign immunity, the county wasn’t properly served, and the news companies succeeded on procedural grounds. The family has already filed an appeal and plans further legal action.
In a statement, Kendrick’s father, Kenneth Johnson, warned others involved in the case, saying, “Anyone, regardless of who you are, what position of power and influence you may hold, if you choose to join the murder cover-up scandal of my son Kendrick, you do so at your own peril.” The judge concluded that despite lingering concerns, the claims could not move forward.