It’s now been over a year since 16-year-old Preston Lord’s life was cut short. The teen was attacked and beaten while leaving a 2023 Queen Creek Halloween party. That October night, a brave group jumped in to help, including lifeguards, who gave Preston CPR.
As his family grieves and works to honor the teen, they are now helping to host youth CPR training.
“As small as it may seem, it meant the world to us,” said Preston’s stepmom, Melissa Ciconte.
Ciconte and Preston’s dad, Nick Lord, spoke with ABC15 back in September in their first sit-down interview.
“I mean, the first time you do CPR on somebody, you never forget it,” said Ciconte. “And I’m sure this was a very traumatic experience for them, especially to do it on a peer, somebody their own age.”
But Preston’s dad and stepmom told ABC15 it gave their family the chance to say goodbye. Preston died in the hospital two days later.
As they work to remember Preston, the Lord family is now helping to host youth CPR training, and the first event is set for December 7 in the East Valley.