A teen's mysterious death is initially thought to be an accidental asphyxiation, but a second autopsy reveals blunt neck trauma and missing organs. Federal investigators reopen the case.
Athlete Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a rolled up wrestling mat in January at his high school in Valdosta, Ga. An initial autopsy ruled the death as an accidental suffocation. Local investigators ruled the death was caused by the teen climbing into the upright mat and becoming stuck while attempting to recover a shoe, as reported by NBC news.
The parents of the deceased teen suspect murder and hired an independent pathologist. He conducted a second autopsy that found the cause of death to be blunt trauma to the neck, and that his internal organs from the pelvis up (including the brain) had been removed and replaced with newspaper, according to HLN TV.
"We're not stopping until we get justice," said Jacquelyn Johnson, Kendrick's mother.
Surveillance footage from Lowndes High School has been released after the parents filed a petition. The footage shows Mr. Johnson walking into the gym while a group of students are playing basketball shortly before his death, according to CNN.
U.S. Attorney Michael Moore is investigating the case, but warns that jurisdiction of the case may be limited. The family has hired a private investigator that according to Mr. Moore is giving the federal investigators information, yet they are still asking for witnesses to come forward.
"My objective is to discover the truth, and I believe that can only be done by gathering all of the relevant information surrounding Mr Johnson's death." said Mr. Moore.
The parent have filed for a coroner's inquest, which will allow a jury to decide whether the death was of natural causes or foul play. A judge will decide on whether or not a coroner's inquest is necessary later today.
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