Medical examiner: Noah Presgrove died from ‘blunt force injuries’

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A medical examiner’s report, obtained by News 4, revealed a teen found dead along a rural Jefferson County Highway last year died from “blunt force trauma," while labeling his manner of death as "undetermined."

19-year-old Noah Presgrove was found dead, lying along the side of US-81 near Terral, after attending a Labor Day party with friends in September 2023.

Presgrove’s family says Noah was found completely naked, only wearing two mismatched shoes.

The medical examiner’s report said Presgrove—whose legal last name is Nichols—died from “multiple blunt force injuries.”

The medical examiner marked the manner of Presgrove’s death as “undetermined”—meaning they could not decide if Presgrove’s death was a homicide, suicide, accident or natural.

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) released a statement saying its detectives leading the investigation over Presgrove’s death are not considering it “murder” at this time.

“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate the death of 19-year-old Noah Presgrove,” the statement from OHP said. “Presgrove was found dead along Highway 81 in Jefferson County on September 4, 2023. Investigators have conducted numerous interviews and reviewed leads and evidence. Currently, the OHP is not investigating Presgrove’s death as a murder. The investigation is not over, and anyone with information on Presgrove’s death is encouraged to contact the Southwest Regional Communications Center at 580-353-0783.”

It all leaves Presgrove’s loved ones with very few words.

“I really don't know what to say,” said Ashley Chadwick, one of Presgrove’s cousins. “I don't, I really don't know. It's… it's a lot to process. I mean, I really don't.”

News 4 first interviewed Chadwick and more of Presgrove’s relatives last month, after they said OHP investigators had stopped giving them updates about their investigation.

“At the end of the day, what we know is that he lost his life,” Presgrove’s cousin Lindsay Fowler told News 4 last month.

“You don't have the answers, you can't close your heart from that heartache,” Presgrove’s cousin Jessica Ashley told News 4 last month.

That story caught the attention of News Nation, which picked up News 4’s story and subsequently ran several nationally televised segments of their own, launching the case into the national spotlight.

“I am glad that it has crossed so many states,” Chadwick told News 4. “It's gone to different countries.”

OHP sent out the release updating the public on their investigation on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after News Nation ran yet another segment about Presgrove’s death.

“There's so many rumors and so much back and forth and people speculating and what have you,” Chadwick said. “So I was thankful for [OHP] to come out and say something.”

In light of it all, Chadwick still has a lot of questions.

“The cycle of grief is continuing, and it doesn't stop,” Chadwick said. “I mean, frustration doesn't stop. I mean, we get it more than anybody else, but it's definitely a cycle of emotions.”

Chadwick also asked News 4 to share the following statement on behalf of the rest of Presgrove’s family:

“We, the family of Noah Presgrove, would like to make a statement in regards to the statement released from OHP and OSBI.

We would like to publicly thank the team that are working in unison tirelessly to navigate this suspicious death. What has always been called a suspicious death.

We understand everyone’s frustrations more so than anyone. However, we ask that everyone be mindful of their dedication and perseverance in finding answers. Thank you.”

Presgrove's Family