Three family members named in a $ 100million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of a Georgia teen who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat have countersued with a $ 1million defamation suit . Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson filed the wrongful death suit after their son Kendrick was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta , Georgia , in January of 2013 . The suit lists 38 defendants and claims that brothers Brian and Branden Bell as well as their father Rick , an FBI agent , were behind the 17-year-old 's death . Scroll down for video . Brian Bell ( left ) and older brother Branden ( right ) filed a $ 1million defamation suit along with their father Rick . The suit , which seeks $ 1 million in damages , was filed against Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson ( pictured ) The Johnsons filed a wrongful death suit after their son Kendrick , 17 , was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat . The Bells ' countersuit denies any of the three family members were involved in Kendrick 's death , according to the Valdosta Daily Times . It states the wrongful death suit lacks 'substantial justification ' and contains ' a complete absence of any justiciable issue in law or fact ' . Kendrick 's parents say the Bells attacked him after their father instructed them to do so . The countersuit also addresses the Johnson family allegedly asking Florida State University to take a football scholarship offer away from younger brother Brian . The Bells claim the Johnsons directed a Facebook post at FSU officials which stated Brian 'exhibited violent tendencies and a highly unusual appetite for fighting ' . The post also reportedly said Brian 's 'social media activities expose the likelihood of him being a psychopath ' . FSU pulled its offer to the linebacker off the table . The suit claims similar slanderous statements were made to the University of Louisville and Clemson University . The Bell brother were notified by US Attorney Michael Moore a federal grand jury 's investigation into Johnson 's death is targeting them , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported . The Johnsons ' suit , which was filed in DeKalb County Superior Court just after the second anniversary of their son 's death , alleges the brothers were 'seeking revenge ' after one of them had been in a fight with Kendrick . It also says the boys acted on a 'parental command ' from their father to assault Johnson . The countersuit claims the Johnsons interfered with Brian 's chances to play football at Florida State University . A state autopsy ruled Johnson 's death was an accident but his parents have always insisted foul play was involved and there was a cover-up by law enforcement authorities and school officials . The lawsuit states : 'Defendants from the various law enforcement agencies deliberately and maliciously mishandled the subject investigation in such a way that anyone who might ever be charged with ( Johnson 's ) death would never be convicted . ' Requests for comments from representatives from both families on Sunday did not get a response . An attorney for the Bells , Brice Ladson , previously said the lawsuit against his clients was 'frivolous ' . He said : 'The Johnsons know the allegations against my clients are completely baseless . '
Branden , 17 , was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta , Georgia , in January of 2013 . His parents Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson filed a civil lawsuit after death . State autopsy ruled death was accident but parents insist it was foul play . Wrongful death suit asked for $ 100million in damages from 38 defendants . FBI agent Rick Bell and sons Brian and Kendrick Johnson were named in the suit . They have filed a $ 1million defamation countersuit against the Johnsons .