Possible audio confession surfaces in Kendrick Johnson death investigation

A Georgia sheriff says his office has received new information in the death investigation of Kendrick Johnson whose body was found at school inside a rolled-up gym mat.

Eight years ago, classmates at Lowndes High School in Valdosta found 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson’s body inside an upright gym mat.

Investigators concluded his death was accidental.

However, Johnson’s parents always maintained their son’s death was a homicide, saying classmates killed their son and law enforcement and school officials covered up the crime.

Earlier in March, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk announced that officials were reopening the case and reevaluating the previously-sealed evidence.

And now, authorities say they have an audio recording of someone admitting to Johnson’s death.

According to Paulk, it was Kendrick Johnson’s mother, Jackie Johnson, who obtained the recording and turned it in to investigators.

“They had a recording that they actually purchased from someone who said that it would be valuable as far as saying who possibly had committed the crime and change their situation,” Paulk said.

The sheriff said investigators are working to verify the recording.

“If it’s a hoax, it’s a very, very cruel hoax to do to Mrs. Johnson,” he said.

The sheriff’s office said they will not be releasing the audio recording at this time.