Reporter Christian Boone has been following the Kendrick Johnson case since last summer.

The AJC received the 522-page case file from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department last November, along with the corresponding surveillance footage taken of the gymnasium where Kendrick’s body was found. Earlier this month, the newspaper returned to Valdosta and met with the lieutenant who supervised the investigation.

We also interviewed civil rights activists and the family of two brothers who’ve been linked to the case by some who believe the teen’s death was not an accident. All along, the AJC has been talking with Kendrick’s family and their attorneys.

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Ahkil Crumpton listens to the jury foreman read the guilty verdict Wednesday. (Nathalee Simoneau/The Oconee Enterprise)

Credit: (Nathalee Simoneau/The Oconee Enterprise)

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC