Teen Football Player Accused in Preston Lord Beating Allegedly Hid at Family Cabin So Hands Could Heal: Report
Seven suspects are facing first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord
Go Fund Me
Preston LordOne of the seven suspects charged in connection with the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord was allegedly taken to his family's cabin after Lord's death to allow time for his hands to heal, according to a report.
Lord died in the hospital two days after being attacked on Oct. 28, 2023, in Arizona at a Halloween Party, Queen Creek police previously announced. His death was ruled a homicide and police have since charged seven suspects, including six teenagers, with first-degree murder and kidnapping after a months-long investigation.
One of the suspects, Talan Renner, 17, was allegedly taken to his family's cabin three hours away from where he lived after the deadly fight occurred in October, AZFamily reports, citing a police report that is more than 1,100 pages.
According to the police report, the ex-girlfriend of Renner's father alleged to authorities that the teen was "full of rage" and an "angry kid," the outlet reports. She also claimed that Renner was taken to the cabin to allow time for his hands to heal.
Renner allegedly wrote in a text message dated Oct. 28, “Got in a fight...killed a kid..guess I don't know my own strength,” KPNX reports, citing to the police report. According to Fox 10 Phoenix, someone also told police on Nov. 4 that Renner allegedly told a friend that he threw the initial punch that started the beating of Lord.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Citing police records, 12 News reports that multiple people told authorities that Renner's family had "the financial means to aide in fleeing to Mexico."
The additional six suspects charged in connection with Lord’s death are Talyn Vigil, 17, William Owen Hines, 18, Dominic Turner, 20, Taylor Sherman, 19, Treston Billey, 18, and Jacob Meisner, 17, police announced. All seven suspects have pleaded not guilty. In addition to the murder and kidnapping charges, Turner and Meisner are also charged with aggravated robbery.
Police said in the report that the attack on Lord allegedly took place after the theft of a necklace from one of Lord’s friends, Fox 10 reports. Police believe none of the suspects knew Lord before his death, per 12 News.
In a text exchange allegedly involving Sherman and an unidentified person, a message reads, “Talan killed someone with his hands,” 12 News reports.
The outlet also reports that despite Renner being a person of interest in Lord's murder, his football coach at American Leadership Academy Gilbert North still allowed him to play in a November 17 football game. The coach also reportedly received an email from someone expressing concerns about Renner being allowed to play. "It's not fair for any teenager to have to be on a field with cold blooded murderers," the email, which was obtained by 12 News, reads in part. The coach has since been terminated, according to the outlet.
"While we can’t begin to fathom why something like this would happen to Preston, we know and see each day how much he is loved and the impact he has had on so many," Lord's aunt wrote in a GoFundMe.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Lord's parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, said his death is "every parent’s worst nightmare."
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
