Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan: Noah Presgrove Shocker! Attorney Blames Noah!

Released: September 21, 2025

Overview

In this episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave revisit the disturbing case of Noah Presgrove, a young man found dead under mysterious circumstances after a weekend of partying with friends. The episode is a deep dive into the forensic details, autopsy findings, and conflicting stories from the night of Noah’s death, culminating in an analysis of the wrongful death lawsuit recently filed by his family. The hosts scrutinize the theory that Noah’s death was the result of a vehicle accident and challenge the plausibility of this explanation, raising pressing questions about what really happened that night.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Setting & Noah's Last Night

• Atmosphere of Youth and Recklessness
  • The discussion begins with Joseph Scott Morgan reflecting on the dynamics of youth and the types of risks young adults take, especially in rural settings.
  • “There’s no other feeling in the world like being young and being with your friends... but at the end of that weekend... he had wound up dead on the side of a road with more trauma than anyone can possibly imagine.” (Joseph Scott Morgan, 02:25)
• Introduction to Noah’s Case
  • Noah attended a Labor Day party with friends in rural Oklahoma near the Texas border.
  • The story came to the hosts directly from a concerned listener, emphasizing its impact and the shocking nature of Noah’s injuries.

Examination of Noah Presgrove’s Injuries

• Autopsy Findings and Forensic Analysis (18:11 - 38:12)

  • Noah sustained a staggering suite of injuries:
    • 10 broken ribs, fractured skull, multiple cervical and spinal fractures, internal bleeding, brain hemorrhage, and organ contusions.
    • Skin on his scalp was torn to the bone; significant road rash, cuts, and grazes across his body.
    • Multiple teeth knocked out and scattered at the scene.
    • Naked at the scene, with only mismatched shoes (Adidas and Hey Dude), and folded clothes nearby.
    • “Let that sink in for a second... injuries that range from literally the soles of his feet to the top of his head.” (Joseph Scott Morgan, 18:11)
  • Discussed forensic indicators for vehicle vs. assault trauma:
    • Certain injuries are consistent with vehicle strikes (bumper marks, “rollover” injuries), but the extensive trauma, lack of typical vehicle accident patterns, and displacement of clothing are questioned.
    • “I would not be as inclined to believe that this is a standard rollover... how many damn times was he rolled over?” (Joseph Scott Morgan, 18:51)
  • Remarkable forensics moment:
    • The displacement and fracturing of Noah’s atlas (C1) vertebra, usually only seen in judicial hangings, suggests two distinct impacts (21:52).
    • Absence of blood pooling at the scene is inconsistent with such catastrophic injuries.

• Unusual Circumstances

  • Noah’s clothes were folded and separated from his body.
  • Personal items, like his grandmother's chain, were broken and scattered.
  • Hosts question the plausibility of clothes being folded during a vehicle accident:
    • “Is he flying through the air, his clothes are coming off before the next tire rolls back over his head to peel some skin and his shirt falls off and folds itself like a genie in the night?” (Host, 24:26)

• Previous Injuries

  • Some minor injuries (scabs, abrasions on nose and knuckles) were determined to have pre-dated the incident, raising the specter of prior altercations or a pattern of risky behavior.

Forensic Theories Explored

• Vehicle Accident Theory Challenged
  • Both hosts express deep skepticism that all of Noah’s injuries could be explained by a single vehicle strike.
    • “Could Noah Presgrove have sustained all of the totality of these injuries simply by being struck by a motor vehicle with a single strike? I just... I have a real hard time swallowing.” (Morgan, 34:51)
  • The “degloving” injury (skin torn from the skull) and clumps of hair found on Noah’s buttock suggest extremely violent trauma beyond a typical vehicle accident.
• Alcohol as a Factor
  • Noah’s BAC was 0.14—over the legal limit, especially significant since he was underage.
  • Hosts note that intoxication could have made him more vulnerable but stress that it doesn't explain the extent or pattern of injuries.

Conflicting Stories and Law Enforcement Response

• Witness Accounts
  • All people present at the party gave significantly conflicting stories; no consistent narrative could be established.
  • “We can’t get the same story from everybody... the minute somebody’s lying, somebody’s lying.” (Host, 50:46)
• Law Enforcement Position
  • The case has not been officially classified as a homicide, but the door is left open for reconsideration if new evidence comes forward.
    • “Just because they say they’re not doesn’t mean... new information might develop.” (Morgan, 52:03)
  • Police have conducted an investigation but have not identified enough probable cause for escalation.

The Wrongful Death Lawsuit

• Filing Details
  • Noah’s family filed a civil suit seeking just $75,000—a figure the hosts see as symbolic, mainly an instrument to compel witness testimony under oath rather than a pursuit of monetary damages.
  • Lawsuit names multiple individuals, shifting legal focus onto party attendees and potentially their families for negligence or failure to render aid.
    • “This smacks of just trying to elicit information to me.” (Joseph Scott Morgan, 52:45)
  • The legal process will force depositions, which may extract the truth as individuals are required to testify under oath.
    • “We’re going to be getting some depositions and they will be under oath.” (Joseph Scott Morgan, 53:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Disbelief Over the Mechanism of Injury:
  “The motor vehicle accident that he would have been involved in to generate this kind of trauma... he would be seated in a car and pushed off a three story building and impacted nose dive... even then you’re still not going to get some of this stuff.”
  (Joseph Scott Morgan, 08:31)

• On the Scene’s Surreal Details:
  “How do you allow someone to leave your domicile... you know that they’re this drunk and... naked and wearing mismatched shoes?”
  (Joseph Scott Morgan, 49:18)

• On Law Enforcement’s Legal Threshold:
  “I don’t know that they have enough probable cause to move forward... to intensify the investigation. They have said they’re not investigating this as a homicide. But... new information might develop.”
  (Joseph Scott Morgan, 52:03)

• On the Purpose of the Lawsuit:
  “...if this was my kid... there’s going to be a one at minimum with six digits after. And I saw 75. Boy, this smacks of just trying to elicit information to me.”
  (Joseph Scott Morgan, 52:45)

Important Timestamps

• 02:25: Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the Noah Presgrove case and its horror.
• 06:24: Discussion of the timeline, with a listener tip prompting investigation.
• 18:11: Detailed rundown of Noah’s extensive injuries begins.
• 23:51: Unpacking findings like the fractured atlas (C1), unusual in vehicle-only trauma.
• 24:21: Shock at Noah being found naked with folded clothes nearby.
• 34:51: Host disputes that a single vehicle impact could explain everything.
• 36:39: Hair degloving and violent trauma to skin and scalp described.
• 38:12: Teeth knocked out and scattered, significance discussed.
• 43:22: Absence of external blood pools at the scene noted.
• 46:04: Noah’s BAC and intoxication discussed.
• 48:22: Details on the state and distance of Noah’s clothing and personal items.
• 50:46: Highlight on conflicting stories from party witnesses.
• 52:27: The lawsuit’s focus on monetary damages and strategic intent explained.
• 53:30: Anticipation of depositions that may finally reveal the truth.

Summary & Conclusion

This episode stands out for its emotional and forensic depth, highlighting the senseless tragedy and mysterious violence surrounding Noah Presgrove’s death. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave scrutinize every aspect of the physical evidence and witness inconsistencies, ultimately casting serious doubt on the vehicle accident theory and raising troubling questions about potential foul play. The family’s strategic wrongful death lawsuit aims to break the wall of silence as the hosts urge for answers, justice, and a proper reckoning for Noah.

“I know that this is putting the onus on Noah here... but the fact that the Presgroves filed this lawsuit... somebody is going to have to go into a big oak-paneled office... there’s going to be a court reporter... and the big question is, will we actually get any answers?”
(Joseph Scott Morgan, 53:30)

For Listeners

This episode is for those seeking rigorous analysis, forensic expertise, and an unflinching look at the tragic consequences of youth, secrecy, and violence. If you haven’t listened, this summary will bring you face-to-face with the core questions, shocking evidence, and the fight for the truth at the heart of the Noah Presgrove case.