VALDOSTA, Ga. — The parents of a Valdosta teen who was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at school have dropped a wrongful death lawsuit.
Kendrick Johnson's family accused two brothers of killing their son, and they say police covered up the crime.
However, even with the lawsuit dropped the legal battle over Johnson's death isn't over.
The family isn't quitting by any means.
A federal probe into Johnson’s death was opened in October, and the family is waiting to see the outcome, then they say they’ll refile.
The 17-year-old was found dead January 2013 inside the rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta.
Investigators said he became trapped in the mat while reaching for a pair of sneakers. But, the family has contended his death was no accident.
Action News Jax isn’t naming or showing the brothers the Johnson’s have accused in Johnson’s death because they haven’t been charged with a crime. The brothers’ family is counter-suing the Johnsons, who say there’s much more to uncover.
“You're not going to tell us that my son fell in a mat, stayed there, suffocated and died,” said Jacquelyn Johnson, Kendrick’s mother. “You're not going to tell us that and we believe it and go with it.”
The law requires the Johnson family to refile their lawsuit within 6 months.
Cox Media Group
