THE GYM MAT INCIDENT: KENDRICK JOHNSON
Crime Salad
07/27/25
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On January 11, 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Students discovered his sock-clad feet sticking out during gym class, prompting calls to 911. His mother, Jacquelyn Johnson, who had been searching for him since the night before, arrived at the school unaware of the tragedy unfolding inside the gym. The fight for justice for Kendrick is still as strong as it was that day. Join us as we unravel the details, theories, and lingering questions surrounding this case.
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Previous Episode
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A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‐800‐677‐1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‐800‐4-A-CHILD (1‐800‐422‐4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‐800‐422‐4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‐800‐662‐HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‐800‐799‐SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org
A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‐800‐677‐1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‐800‐4-A-CHILD (1‐800‐422‐4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‐800‐422‐4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‐800‐662‐HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‐800‐799‐SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org
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Next Episode
Most commonly known as Heather Turner—was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of the home she shared with her husband. The shower was still running, and she had a gunshot wound to the head.
Heather's death happened at a time when several things in their lives were raising red flags. Allegedly, Heather was planning to leave the relationship with Andy the very next day. But here we are, nearly a decade later, and her case remains in limbo—officially labeled as "undetermined."
In 2019, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation claimed to have handed over their findings to the District Attorney. But the DA’s office says they never received them. Meanwhile, local police say their hands are tied, and Heather’s family continues to be left in the dark.
Adding to the unease are chilling reported threats like, “If I could do this to Heather, what makes you think I couldn’t do this to you?” —allegedly said by Andy to his girlfriend, who came into the picture after Heather's death.
Join us as we break down the red tape and take a closer look at a case that seems deliberately stalled—in a community where some believe turning up the silence on her case will not do any good.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know you're not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. Free. Confidential. 24/7.
Supporting links:
Justice for Heather Turner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForHeatherNicoleTurner
Justice for Heather Turner TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justiceforheatherturner?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Full police call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGO8IFBNWw
Heather Singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-r1eKgCHSY
Heather's death happened at a time when several things in their lives were raising red flags. Allegedly, Heather was planning to leave the relationship with Andy the very next day. But here we are, nearly a decade later, and her case remains in limbo—officially labeled as "undetermined."
In 2019, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation claimed to have handed over their findings to the District Attorney. But the DA’s office says they never received them. Meanwhile, local police say their hands are tied, and Heather’s family continues to be left in the dark.
Adding to the unease are chilling reported threats like, “If I could do this to Heather, what makes you think I couldn’t do this to you?” —allegedly said by Andy to his girlfriend, who came into the picture after Heather's death.
Join us as we break down the red tape and take a closer look at a case that seems deliberately stalled—in a community where some believe turning up the silence on her case will not do any good.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know you're not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. Free. Confidential. 24/7.
Supporting links:
Justice for Heather Turner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForHeatherNicoleTurner
Justice for Heather Turner TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justiceforheatherturner?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Full police call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGO8IFBNWw
Heather Singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-r1eKgCHSY
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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