Ryan Knudson

As Bell was still being shopped to boosters, according to texts reviewed by the journal, he embarked on a series of college visits.

Over the summer, Bell and his mom, Samantha Barnes, went to visit colleges where he could make big money playing football.

They toured the University of Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State.

In a text to her friend after the Washington visit, Barnes said, quote, Good news.

They offered P350K.

A University of Washington spokesman declined to comment.

Later that summer, Bell's mother and stepfather went on a trip to Las Vegas.

According to a police report, Barnes drank heavily and used cocaine.

A coroner ruled her death an accident caused by diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition resulting from a lack of insulin, with acute cocaine toxicity as another significant condition.

After Barnes died, Bell's father wanted to bring his son back to Northern California.

So he visited Bell's high school in Mission Viejo.

Why didn't he want to talk to his dad?

And also, didn't his dad win that court case that said he had to go back and live with them?

And he was very close with his mother, and so... Yeah.

Yeah.

In a statement, Bell's father said, quote, decisions were made about my son's life, his schooling, and his future without my consent or involvement.

Adding, quote, my family has been torn apart by adults who should have protected us, and now I'm left trying to pick up the pieces.

His grandmother added that they wanted him to be, quote, safe, loved, thriving, and surrounded by people who truly have his best interests at heart.

Bell's father and grandparents also sued Mission Viejo School District, which has denied wrongdoing.

The case is ongoing.