The family of Noah Presgrove, a 19-year-old Marine hopeful found dead and naked on the side of an Oklahoma highway nearly two years ago, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging he may have been beaten to death — contradicting initial theories that he was killed by a passing vehicle.
Presgrove was discovered near U.S. Highway 81 in Terral on Sept. 4, 2023, the morning after attending a multi-day Labor Day party. His body was found alongside personal items including teeth, basketball shorts, and a necklace.
Authorities initially considered a hit-and-run, but the new civil complaint, filed June 23, asserts that Presgrove’s death “was not caused by being hit with a motor vehicle” and instead resulted from a violent altercation.
“Either intentionally or accidentally, the defendants killed the decedent,” the lawsuit claims.
What Happened That Night?
According to the lawsuit, the party — where underage drinking reportedly occurred — was hosted by Avery Howard, Carter Combs, and Logan Jernigan, on property owned by Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., using a trailer registered to Stevie Howard.
The complaint also names Jack Newton, who allegedly purchased alcohol for the party despite being under 21, from Napoli’s convenience store, operated by Val Petrol, LLC.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the parties involved for comment. As of publication, no defendants have formally responded to the suit.
Medical Examiner: Death Caused by Blunt Force Trauma
The Oklahoma medical examiner concluded Presgrove died from blunt force injuries to the head, torso, and extremities. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he had reportedly been involved in an ATV rollover incident earlier that night.
Investigators noted that Presgrove returned to the party afterward and was last seen around 3:41 a.m. during a heated argument with Howard and Newton, according to the complaint.
“Decedent was beat to death by one or more of the defendants,” the lawsuit alleges. It further claims a civil conspiracy took place involving two or more individuals.
No physical evidence directly confirming an assault has been publicly disclosed.
Family Seeks Answers
Presgrove had graduated early from high school and was preparing to enlist in the U.S. Marines with his cousin. His family has remained vocal, demanding clarity from both law enforcement and the community nearly two years after his death.
“We can’t move on until we know what happened,” a family member previously told Fox News Digital.
Legal Claims
The wrongful death lawsuit seeks at least $75,000 in damages and accuses the defendants of:
- Negligence
- Recklessness
- Civil conspiracy
- Violation of duty of care
As of now, the case remains unsolved, and Oklahoma authorities have not officially ruled the death a homicide.
