Sheriff Offers $500,000 Of His Own Money For Information Involving A Dead Teen Found In A Mat

A Georgia sheriff is offering $500,000 of his own money for information regarding the case of Kendrick Johnson. Johnson, 17, was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat in 2013.

Lowndes County Sheriff, Ashley Paulk, announced Thursday that Johnson’s case would be closed and no charges would be filed. They released a 16-page document detailing the investigation. Johnson’s family fought back, explaining how they believe the death was a covered up.

“After the release of my synopsis of the Federal files on the Kendrick Johnson case, his parents have called me a liar and continue to state that Kendrick was murdered,” Paulk said in a news release.

“Because of these statements, I am personally, with my own funds, offering a reward of one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) to anyone who comes forward with information that results in the arrest and conviction of a person for the alleged murder of Kendrick Johnson at Lowndes High School,” he added.

Johnson’s body was discovered rolled up in a wrestling mat in the high school’s gym. His body was positioned head down with his feet visible at the top of the mat.

Investigators said that Johnson died after trying to retrieve his shoes from inside the mat. The ruled his death as accidental asphyxiation.

Paulk continued to stand his ground and reassure everyone that Johnson’s tragic death was a “weird accident”. He explained how him and two other detectives spent a year analyzing 17 boxes of files.

Paulk says the reward he is offering is “one last avenue” for them to get information they may not have had.