Missing Teenager’s Body Found Trapped Inside School Gym Mat
The body of a teenager was discovered in a shocking and unusual circumstance inside a school gym mat.
The tragic discovery has led to years of controversy, multiple investigations, and ongoing legal battles over what really happened to the promising young athlete.
Fellow students made the grim discovery when they climbed to the top of a cluster of gym mats standing nearly six feet tall.
Kendrick Johnson was found headfirst in the center of a vertically positioned mat, with his shoes wedged behind his knees.
The mat had a 14-inch diameter opening in its center, while Johnson’s shoulders measured 19 inches across.
“Kendrick was a really, really great son,” said his father, Kenneth Johnson, to 41 NBC. “And, you know, everyone in our family really misses him.”
Authorities quickly ruled the death accidental. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s autopsy concluded that Johnson died from positional asphyxia, suffocating after becoming trapped upside down in the mat.
Investigators theorized that Johnson had fallen into the mat while reaching for a shoe, with three students telling investigators it was common practice for students to store shoes behind or under the rolled-up mats to avoid paying for lockers.
Lieutenant Stryde Jones, who headed the investigation for the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, stated (per the Huffington Post): “We never had credible information that indicated this was anything other than an accident.”
The case was officially closed within four months of Johnson’s death.
Johnson’s family remained unconvinced by the official explanation.
They raised concerns about several troubling aspects of the case, including gaps in surveillance footage and the fact that the county coroner wasn’t notified until six hours after the body was discovered, a violation of Georgia state law requiring immediate notification.
The family hired an independent pathologist, William R. Anderson, to conduct a second autopsy in June 2013.
This examination reached a dramatically different conclusion, finding evidence of blunt force trauma to Johnson’s neck and suggesting the death was not accidental.
The second autopsy revealed another shocking detail: Johnson’s internal organs were missing, and his body had been stuffed with newspaper.
The funeral home stated they never received the organs from the coroner, while the coroner claimed the organs had been ‘destroyed through natural process’ and discarded, CNN reports.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced a formal review of the case in October 2013.
The investigation lasted nearly three years, with federal investigators interviewing close to 100 people.
However, on June 20, 2016, the Department of Justice announced no criminal charges would be filed, stating there was ‘insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt’ that anyone violated Johnson’s civil rights.
The Johnson family filed a $100 million civil lawsuit in 2015 against 38 individuals, including school officials, local and state investigators, and federal agents.
The lawsuit alleged Johnson was murdered and that respondents engaged in a conspiracy to cover up the homicide.
The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and in August 2017, Georgia Judge Richard Porter ordered the Johnson family and their attorney to pay more than $292,000 in legal fees to the defendants, stating they had ‘no evidence to support their claims.’
One of the most controversial aspects of the case involves surveillance footage from the gym.
When 290 hours of tape from 35 cameras were released in November 2013, a forensic analyst found that footage from multiple cameras was missing significant time periods, including one hour and five minutes from two cameras and two hours and ten minutes from another.
Investigators later explained some gaps were due to unsynchronized camera systems and motion-activated recording functions. The area where Johnson’s body was found was not covered by any cameras.
In March 2021, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk reopened the investigation, even offering $500,000 of his own money as a reward for information.
After 13 months of review, Paulk closed the case in January 2022, concluding per KARE 11: “There was no homicide, no coverup, no conspiracy in the January 2013 death of the teen. It was simply a tragic and bizarre accident.”
More than twelve years after their son’s death, Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson continue their fight.
In August 2025, they filed an amended $12 million lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Public Health, demanding the cause of death on their son’s official death certificate be changed from ‘accidental positional asphyxia’ to ‘non-accidental blunt force trauma.’
“We have filed the right paperwork,” Johnson said. “We have filed several different times to get his death certificate corrected.”
The lawsuit also raises concerns about racial bias in how the case was handled. “If Kendrick was white, his family wouldn’t be going through this right now,” Johnson said. “But since it’s a Black child, these people don’t care. But we care. And we will push for the truth.”
Johnson’s mother, Jacquelyn, described the ongoing pain: “We can’t even really begin to grieve or mourn because of the fight we’ve had to endure.”
The Guardian has called Kendrick Johnson ‘our generation’s Emmett Till’ – a reference to the 1955 lynching that became a catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Despite multiple autopsies, federal investigations, and numerous legal proceedings, the question of exactly what happened to Kendrick Johnson in that Valdosta gymnasium remains a source of controversy.
A brave group of firefighters saved a lifeless dog from a devastating fire, performing mouth-to-snout resuscitation to bring the animal back to life after it was pulled from the flames.
He’s going home with you tonight, lucky little soul, thanks to the tireless, compassionate, and selfless actions of our incredible firefighters.
These unsung heroes go to extraordinary lengths to save lives, whether human or animal, and every single one of us should take a moment to appreciate their dedication.
They don’t just fight fires; they fight to preserve life in all its forms, showing kindness, care, and heroism when it’s needed the most. We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude for a job well done.
Thank you for saving this precious puppy and reminding us all of the power of compassion.
The heroic story of Nalu, a small puppy whose life was saved from the devastating flames of a fire, began last week in Santa Monica.
A massive fire broke out in an apartment building, and when firefighters arrived at the scene, they were confronted with a grim situation.
Nalu, a young puppy, had been trapped inside his owner’s apartment, which was engulfed in thick smoke and flames. His owner, Crystal Lamirande, was understandably frantic, knowing that her beloved pet was in grave danger.
As the firefighters entered the building, the situation was dire—the chances of saving Nalu seemed slim, and time was rapidly running out.
Upon finding Nalu unconscious and barely breathing, Firefighter Andrew Klein didn’t hesitate. Without any thought for his own safety, he immediately began performing mouth-to-snout CPR on the unresponsive puppy.
He worked quickly, knowing that every second mattered. The fire had caused chaos and destruction, but Klein was focused solely on saving Nalu’s life. Despite all of his efforts, Nalu remained still, showing no signs of life, and for a while, it seemed like there was no hope left.
Yet, Klein refused to give up. He continued with the life-saving procedure, remaining calm and determined. This wasn’t just another routine rescue for him—this was about saving a living being that had no voice, no way to defend itself.
After what must have felt like an eternity, nearly 20 minutes later, Klein saw something miraculous: Nalu began to breathe on his own, very faintly at first, but unmistakably alive.
A wave of relief flooded the firefighter as Nalu opened his eyes and regained consciousness.
It was a moment that could only be described as miraculous. As the pup began to recover, neighbors who had gathered at the scene quickly came to the aid of the puppy, taking him to a nearby animal hospital where he could receive further medical attention.
His recovery, although still needing careful monitoring, was an extraordinary testament to the perseverance of everyone involved.
Firefighter Klein later spoke about the emotional impact of the rescue, sharing his thoughts with the media: “I’ve been involved in many animal rescues throughout my career, and unfortunately, many of them have not ended with such a happy outcome. But Nalu’s story is different.
This one is a victory. It’s proof that when we work together and we don’t give up, lives can be saved—even against the most difficult odds.”
What’s even more remarkable is that, while the fire could have resulted in tragedy, thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of the entire fire team, it was brought under control quickly, and there were no other injuries.
The crew worked seamlessly to put out the fire and ensure the safety of everyone involved. The professionalism of the firefighters ensured that Crystal Lamirande, Nalu’s owner, didn’t have to face the heartache of losing her beloved pet.
The bond between humans and animals is one that transcends words. For so many, pets are not just animals; they are family. They are companions, protectors, and loyal friends, and the firefighters who saved Nalu understood that completely.
Their quick, coordinated response saved not just a dog’s life, but also preserved the profound connection between a pet and its owner.
This rescue is an inspiring reminder of the dedication, love, and compassion firefighters bring to their work every single day.
These brave individuals do far more than put out fires; they often save lives in the most desperate of situations, and they do so with skill, heart, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others—whether that means a human or an animal.
Firefighter Klein’s actions, in particular, went above and beyond what one might expect, as he took on the responsibility of bringing this small puppy back to life with his own hands. His relentless effort was the reason Nalu now has a second chance at life.
In the midst of all the chaos and tragedy that often surrounds us, this rescue is a bright ray of hope, a beautiful demonstration of what it means to truly care for the life around us.
Firefighters like Andrew Klein and his colleagues are real-life heroes, and they remind us all that no act of kindness is too small, and no effort to save life is ever wasted.
As for Nalu, he is now safe and recovering, and we are so relieved to know that his story has a happy ending. This precious puppy, who came so close to losing his life in the flames, is now getting the love and care he deserves.
His survival is a gift—not just to him, but to his owner, his community, and to all who hear his story.
To the firefighters who risked everything to save Nalu, we say thank you. Your courage, compassion, and dedication are an inspiration to us all. You are true heroes.
We can’t express enough gratitude for the work you do every day to make the world a safer, better place for all living beings. Your efforts remind us of the importance of protecting life in all its forms, and your kindness means the world to people and pets alike.
Thank you for showing us the power of compassion, the strength of teamwork, and the incredible impact one person’s determination can have on the life of another.
