The family ofPreston Lordis speaking out afteralleged text messagesbetween the multiple suspects charged in the 16-year-old’s beating death at a Halloween party were publicly revealed in a police report this week.
The suspects charged in connection with Lord’s death are Talan Renner, 17, Talyn Vigil, 17, William Owen Hines, 18, Dominic Turner, 20, Taylor Sherman, 19, Treston Billey, 18, and Jacob Meisner, 17,KPNX,AZfamily.com, andFox 10 Phoenixreport, citing authorities.
The suspects, all of whom face first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, have pleaded not guilty, AZfamily.com reported. Turner, Meisner and Billey are additionally charged with aggravated robbery.
Queen Creek Police Department
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Lord’s parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, opened up about the loss of their son, who was also an honors student and athlete.
“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,” the parents said through their lawyer, Bryn K. DeFusco, at DeFusco Law, P.L.C.
The statement continued, “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.”
Preston Lord.Queen Creek Police Department
“Nick and Autumn will never witness him blossom into the remarkable human he was,” the statement added. “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.”
According to Fox 10, police said in the report that the attack that resulted in Preston’s death allegedly took place after the theft of a necklace from one of Lord’s friends. The outlet also reported that someone told police on Nov. 4 that Renner allegedly told a friend that he threw the initial punch.
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In a separate text exchange allegedly involving Sherman and an unidentified person, a message allegedly reads, “Talan killed someone with his hands,” and a later response reading, “Bro that kid died,” the outlet reported.
It’s unclear if the suspects have retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.
source: people.com
