Preston Lord's death was officially ruled a homicide by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.
On October 28, a 16-year-old boy was beaten and left on the street outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek. He died two days later.
The specific cause of death has not been announced by the Medical Examiner's Office.
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No one has been arrested or named as a suspect in the first homicide investigation by Queen Creek police. In late December, police referred charges against seven adults and juveniles to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, which is expected to take some time to review.
Lord's death exposed a series of attacks by teens in the southeast Valley. In December, an investigation by the Arizona Republic revealed that the Gilbert Goons, a gang of mostly wealthy teenagers, had been carrying out gang violence for more than a year.
Most attacks occurred in Gilbert. Parents, students and community activists allege Goon members were involved in Lord's assault.
Here's where to contact the reporter: elena.santacruz@gannett.com.
