A new lawsuit suggests Noah Presgrove, a 19-year-old from Oklahoma who was found dead and unclothed beside a road in September 2023, may have been beaten to death rather than killed in a car accident as previously believed.
Presgrove, a recent high school graduate and military hopeful, had attended a multi-day Labor Day weekend party before his body was discovered along U.S. Highway 81 in Terral. Near his body, investigators found a necklace, basketball shorts, and teeth.
Authorities initially believed he may have been hit by a vehicle. However, a wrongful death suit filed on June 23 argues the evidence points to a different cause. It claims his injuries were not consistent with a car crash and instead accuses several individuals of playing a role in his death. The lawsuit is seeking at least $75,000 in damages.
According to court documents, the party involved underage drinking and was hosted by Avery Howard, Carter Combs, and Logan Jernigan. It took place on land owned by Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., with a trailer reportedly belonging to Stevie Howard.
The lawsuit further claims that alcohol was supplied illegally. One defendant, Jack Newton, who was under 21, allegedly bought alcohol from Napoli’s convenience store, operated by Val Petrol, LLC.
Presgrove had reportedly consumed alcohol before riding an ATV, which rolled over during the night. The lawsuit states Newton let him ride the ATV while intoxicated. Despite the accident, Presgrove returned to the party. He was last seen around 3:41 a.m. during a heated argument with Howard and Newton.
An autopsy report later confirmed that Presgrove died from blunt force trauma to the head, torso, and limbs. The complaint accuses multiple defendants of physically assaulting him and claims there was a conspiracy to carry out the attack.
Though it stops short of providing full evidence of the beating, the lawsuit accuses the group of civil conspiracy, gross negligence, recklessness, and failing to provide duty of care.
Presgrove had completed high school three months early and was preparing to join the military with his cousin. The case remains under investigation as questions grow around how the teen’s final hours unfolded.
