Preston Lord’s parents open up about Valley teen’s life, death in emotional TV interview

PHOENIX – Ten months after Preston Lord was beaten to death in a case that sparked outrage across the Valley, his parents sat down with a Phoenix TV station to discuss their unimaginable ordeal.

Nick Lord and Melissa Ciconte, Preston’s father and stepmother, shared stories about their son’s life, and about losing him, in an interview with ABC15’s Ashley Holden that aired Wednesday. Melissa also read a touching note from Preston’s mother, Autumn Curiel.

“I just remember standing there and thinking, ‘This has got to be a bad dream,’” Nick said about seeing his son in the hospital after the brutal assault. “I spent two nights at the hospital sleeping on the floor, I’d say easily the most challenging things that I’ve ever had to go through.”

Preston, 16, succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 30, 2023, two days after a group of youths jumped him outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek.

“To hear Nick say, ‘It’s OK buddy, you can go. You don’t have to be strong anymore.’ … Probably one of the worst days of my life,” Melissa said while fighting back tears.

Preston Lord remembered as a loving son

The Lords remember their son as a strong student at Combs High School in San Tan Valley with a passion for math, sports and making others laugh.

“He was genuine. He was kind. He was loving. He wanted a future for himself and he worked hard for it,” Melissa said.

Preston’s parents said they couldn’t have imagined he’d become a victim of violent crime.

“Preston was so well-behaved that I never even thought about it,” Nick said.

Teen’s death sparks movement, puts youth violence in spotlight

After Preston’s death, his parents came up with the idea of Justice 4 Preston Lord, a movement symbolized by orange bracelets that was embraced across the region.

“It’s not something that we expected to happen. I think the response from the community has been absolutely amazing,” Nick said.

The movement ended up exposing a plague of youth violence in multiple East Valley communities, as previously silent victims came forward. Many of the assaults were attributed to a gang of teens and young adults known as the Gilbert Goons.

Some pictures from last night’s vigil for Preston Lord. pic.twitter.com/hv9Dl87zKX

— Balin Overstolz (@balin_om) March 8, 2024

As the investigation into Preston’s death stretched on for months, the community grew impatient. Family members, meanwhile, wondered if they’d ever get justice.

“Just a lot of feelings of anxiety if this would ever move forward with arrests and just progress in his case,” Nick said.

Seven youths arrested for murder of Preston Lord

Progress finally arrived in March, when seven males ages 17-20 were arrested and charged with Preston’s murder. They are scheduled to go to trial in July 2025.

Nick said he’s not passing judgement and just wants the trial to be fair.

“He did not deserve to die in that manner, and those that did it should be held accountable for their actions,” Melissa said.

The interview was conducted just weeks before what would have been Preston’s 17th birthday on Sept. 23. A Preston Lord Day celebration is scheduled for that day at The Stillery in downtown Chandler.

“We picked that day because it should be a celebration of his life and what he meant to the world,” Melissa said.

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