5 Shocking Updates In The Noah Presgrove Case: The 2025 Wrongful Death Lawsuit Explained
The tragic and mysterious death of 19-year-old Noah Presgrove continues to be a major source of controversy and civil litigation in late 2025. Found dead on the side of an Oklahoma highway after a Labor Day Weekend party in 2023, the case has escalated from a baffling criminal investigation to a high-stakes civil battle, with his family directly accusing a group of his friends of causing his death. The latest developments, including a critical civil lawsuit and court-ordered subpoenas, are forcing new details into the public eye.
As of December 22, 2025, the official criminal investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) remains open, with the manner of death still officially classified as "undetermined" despite the autopsy report confirming "multiple blunt force injuries." The family’s pursuit of justice, however, has shifted focus to the civil courts, where they have filed an explosive wrongful death lawsuit against several individuals who were present at the party just hours before Noah’s body was discovered. This article breaks down the most recent, crucial updates in the ongoing quest for answers.
Noah Presgrove: A Biographical Profile
Noah Nichols Presgrove was a 19-year-old resident of Comanche, Oklahoma, whose life was tragically cut short on Labor Day Weekend in 2023. Born on May 14, 2004, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Noah was known for his outgoing personality and athletic build, described by his family as a "country boy at heart."
- Full Name: Noah Nichols Presgrove
- Date of Birth: May 14, 2004
- Age at Death: 19
- Parents: Victor Presgrove and Kasey Elliott
- Residence: Comanche, Oklahoma
- Education: Graduated from Comanche High School in 2023
- Date Found: September 4, 2023 (Labor Day Weekend)
- Location Found: Along US-81 near Terral, Jefferson County, Oklahoma
The Autopsy Report and 'Undetermined' Manner of Death
The initial discovery of Noah’s body was shocking. He was found bloody and battered about a mile away from the multi-day party he had attended with friends.
The full autopsy report, released months after his death, provided definitive details on how Noah died, but not who or what was responsible. The State Medical Examiner's findings were pivotal in the case's complexity.
The Official Cause of Death
The medical examiner concluded that the cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries." These injuries were extensive, affecting his head, neck, torso, and limbs, including major head and skull injuries.
The Classification Controversy
Crucially, the manner of death was classified as "undetermined." This classification indicates that while the cause of death (blunt force trauma) is known, investigators could not definitively rule whether the death was an accident, a suicide, or a homicide.
The family has consistently rejected the possibility of an accident or suicide, believing the extent of the injuries points directly to foul play.
The Explosive 2025 Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The most significant and recent development, as of June 2025, is the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit by Noah's estate against seven individuals, including several of his friends.
The civil litigation is a direct challenge to the "undetermined" classification and aims to bring accountability where the criminal investigation has yet to formally charge anyone. The lawsuit claims that Noah was beaten to death by some of his friends during the party he attended.
Key Allegations and Defendants
The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including Jack Newton, who was reportedly Noah's best friend, and Jack's father, Caleb Newton, along with others identified as Avery, Carter, Logan, Johnnie, and Stevie.
- The Claim: The suit alleges that the defendants, or one of them, inflicted the fatal blunt force injuries on Noah.
- The Motivation: Noah’s brother, Dailen Presgrove, stated that the family’s motivation for the suit is not money, but to uncover the truth and seek justice for Noah.
The 'Unavoidable Accident' Defense
In a contentious response to the civil suit, one of the primary defendants, Jack Newton, and his father, Caleb Newton, filed a court document claiming that Noah Presgrove's death was an "unavoidable accident, casualty and misfortune."
Furthermore, their defense filing alleges that Noah's death was caused by his own "negligence." This "negligence defense" is a common, though controversial, legal strategy in wrongful death cases, shifting blame onto the deceased. It has only intensified the public scrutiny surrounding the events of that Labor Day Weekend.
Ongoing Investigative and Legal Maneuvers
Despite the high-profile nature of the case and the civil litigation, the official criminal investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) remains active.
A significant legal development occurred in 2025 when a judge approved a subpoena for OHP documents related to the death. This move suggests the civil case is actively seeking evidence from the state's criminal file, a critical step in a case where the two investigations run parallel.
The subpoena for OHP documents is a crucial procedural mechanism in the civil litigation. It allows the Presgrove family's legal team to access investigative records that could shed light on the events leading up to Noah’s death, potentially providing the evidence needed to move the civil case forward. The outcome of this subpoena and the information it yields will be a key factor in future updates regarding the case.
The Presgrove family, supported by their community in Comanche, Oklahoma, continues to push for the manner of death to be officially changed from "undetermined" to "homicide." The confluence of the extensive blunt force injuries, the proximity to the party, and the subsequent wrongful death lawsuit keeps the spotlight firmly on the individuals who were the last to see Noah Presgrove alive.
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