Family makes public plea for answers

The high attendance at the candlelight service and funeral of Noah Presgrove showed his survivors how much he was thought of by his teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers and community.

The 19-year-old Comanche teenager was found dead alongside Highway 81 north of Terral in Jefferson County, Sept. 4.

Now, family members are hoping that someone among those have mourned for him know what happened to the recent Comanche graduate.

“I was just talking to the investigator (Monday) and he’s not saying much because he said he doesn’t want to mess up the investigation,” Deborah Smith, Noah’s grandmother, said. “He did tell me he wasn’t going to stop until he figured out what happened.”

Initially thought to be a possible hit-and-run, the case has now been designated “suspicious” by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).

The stories have been hard on Smith, who Noah lived with, and other family members as they hear different stories every day about what happened.

“I’ve gotten to the point where I’m like, ‘Don’t talk to me, just leave me alone,’” Smith said. “There’s all these kids who said they cared for him, but how come no one is stepping up to say what really happened? It’s aggravating. They talk about how they loved and cared for him, but I’m confused by all the different stories. No two are the same. I had several call me yesterday wanting to come over and talk about it. I’m just exhausted. I need a break. I need to get back to work.”

She is still trying to cope with not having him around.

“Every night I expect him to walk through that damn door,” Smith said.

Smith vows to press on and said she is confident with the investigation.

“We’re going to get answers,” she said. “We’re going to find out what happened.”

The OHP is asking for anyone who was in contact with Presgrove the night of his death or might have any information to assist investigators to call the the OHP SW Regional Communications Center to be put in touch with an investigator at 580-353-0783.