167: Spoiled Millionaire Teenagers Snapchat Murder and Brag About It | The Brutal Murder of Preston Lord

A brutal attack against 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Halloween party in Queen Creek, Arizona, has resulted in his murder and a complex investigation involving several suspects.

16-year-old Preston Lord was brutally attacked at a Halloween party in Queen Creek, Arizona and died two days later from his injuries.

Preston Lord, a junior at Combs High School, was known for being a good student, kind, and athletic. On October 28, 2023, he attended a Halloween party that was heavily promoted on social media. A fight broke out, and in the ensuing violence, Preston was not just beaten by one assailant but by several. He was found by police lying unresponsive on the street with severe head and neck injuries. Despite attempts by partygoers to perform CPR and emergency medical responders using a defibrillator, Preston succumbed to a traumatic brain injury on October 30th, two days after the attack.

Annie Elise mentions that this violent event has had a profound impact not just on Chandler but on the entire East Valley. Melissa Ciconte, Preston's stepmother, describes the immense loss their family and community have endured.

The police initially remained tight-lipped about the case, despite rumors and social media speculation swirling about the incident.

The Queen Creek Police Department ruled Preston's death a homicide, launching an investigation that led to searches in Gilbert neighborhoods, where evidence was collected. Following Preston's death, there was an initial silence from police amid spreading rumors and social media discussion. However, the case saw progress in early November with the execution of search warrants.

In the aftermath of Preston's death, the community rallied, hosting vigils, marches, and town meetings to demand justice.

After months of investigation, the police finally made several arrests in connection with Preston's murder.

By late December 2023, a breakthrough occurred when a girl came forward, revealing her boyfriend’s involvement and their association with the "Gilbert Goons." Court documents later detailed how the suspects had attempted to ...

The East Valley region has been grappling with the rise of a violent gang known as the "Gilbert Goons," a notorious group of teenagers and young adults involved in a series of brutal attacks.

Rumors surfaced about a notorious group of teenagers and young adults calling themselves the "Gilbert Goons" who were allegedly behind a string of violent attacks in the East Valley region.

The "Gilbert Goons" have been associated with a series of crimes, engaging in violent activities for about a year in Gilbert, Mesa, and Santan Valley. Annie Elise states rumors that this group is composed of affluent boys aged 16 to 20 from various East Valley high schools, colloquially known as the "Goonies." According to reports, the violent patterns of these attacks often involve blitz-style assaults with brass knuckles and stomping.

The "Gilbert Goons" were said to be from wealthy local families and frequently posted videos and photos of their criminal activities on social media, treating it as a badge of honor.

These individuals, hailing from affluent backgrounds, are children of well-known community members. They often posted evidence of their criminal behavior on social media platforms, proudly displaying their disregard for the law and others' safety. Despite threats of violence to maintain silence, news about the Gilbert Goons is being released daily, and the community is becoming increasingly aware of their actions and identities.

Multiple victims came forward to report being assaulted by the "Gilbert Goons" in a similar pattern - the group would surround, beat, and even steal from their targets.

Attacks would follow a horrifying pattern where victims, typically weaker or younger individuals, were encircled, beaten with fists and feet, and had their possessions stolen. Such was the case with a high school student named Tristan, who faced threats of retaliation for speaking out. After Preston's death, which was said to resemble the Gilbert Goons ...

Allegations of a cover-up involving affluent families and authority figures in the case of the "Gilbert Goons" raise serious concerns about the integrity of the community and the justice system.

Suspicions arose that the knowledge of the "Gilbert Goons' crimes had been purposefully hidden to protect reputations and livelihoods of the affluent families involved.

The focus shifted to the family of Talon Renner, particularly after reports surfaced about a proactive effort to shield him from the consequences of the attack on Preston Lord. Talon called his father, Travis Renner, minutes after the incident. Travis, a co-owner of multiple fitness gym franchises with his business partner Adam, feared the negative impact on their business. An employee, Ashley Reynolds, reported overhearing Travis and Adam discuss covering up Talon's involvement. They talked about Talon's initiation to the gang and considered sending him away to recover from injuries sustained during the fight before facing police questioning. Reynolds also heard them discuss managing finances in light of potential legal fees and business implications. Despite signing an NDA, Reynolds later broke her silence to inform the police, which resulted in her dismissal and reception of a cease and desist letter. The details she provided matched the ongoing investigation by the Queen Creek Police Department.

Allegations surfaced that school administrators and even a high school football coach may have been aware of the "Gilbert Goons' activities but failed to intervene.

Community rumors suggested that the high school varsity football coach knew of the gang's behavior, raising suspicions that he may have been part of a cover-up. It was alleged that the coach allowed Talon, a talented football player, to participate in a ...