The family of 16-year-old Preston Lord spoke out following a police report that provided additional details about his death, while seven people are facing charges in the teen’s fatal beating.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Lord passed away in a hospital two days after an October 28, 2023, assault in Queen Creek, a suburb of Phoenix, during a Halloween party. His death was investigated as a homicide after police found him badly beaten near 194th Street and Via Del Rancho Road.
Multiple suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with Lord’s death, including Talan Renner, 17, Talyn Vigil, 17, William Owen Hines, 18, Dominic Turner, 20, Taylor Sherman, 19, Treston Billey, 18, and Jacob Meisner, 17.
All seven suspects have been charged with murder and kidnapping. Turner and Meisner are facing an additional charge of robbery.
During an interview with PEOPLE, the victim’s parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, spoke through their attorney, describing Preston as an honors student who
“Preston Lord was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend to many – always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was doing the right thing but was in the wrong place at the wrong time, in a neighborhood where he had always felt safe,” Bryn K. DeFusco, at DeFusco Law, P.L.C., said on behalf of the victim’s parents.
“His parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, each shared a close bond and relationship with him. The emptiness left in his absence is a constant reminder of the easygoing and generous soul they lost. Preston was a National Honor student, student council member, and three-sport athlete. He was looking forward to his basketball tryouts the following Monday. Instead, his life ended violently, extinguishing all his potential.
“Nick and Autumn will never witness him blossom into the remarkable human he was. They now grapple with the harsh reality of his demise. The milestones they anticipated celebrating with Preston will never come to fruition. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The statement follows the release of a 1,100-page police report this week by the Queen Creek Police Department. The report, obtained by The Docket, provides a detailed account of the evidence collected by investigators in the months preceding the arrests.
Preston Lord Report Waterma… by Leigh Egan
It took investigators several months to identify the suspects, prompting anger among residents. Some of them claimed that the influential families of the boys were obstructing the course of justice.
All seven suspects pleaded not guilty and are due back in court on April 30. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Preston Lord/Dignity Memorial]
