Denis Preka Foundation

March 18,2019

On the night of March 18, 2019, Denis went to the house of Paul Wiedmaier, who Denis believed as his best friend. He intended to spend the night studying and preparing for a test the next day. Instead, he was betrayed by Paul, and he walked alive and was carried out of the house dead the next day. This is the story of how Denis was poisoned, assaulted, and murdered while his “best friend” not only didn’t help him but was a co-conspirator in the heinous crime.

Paul on March 18th 2019 10 PM had invited over to his house two friends: Connor Gibaratz and Nicholas Remington, a well-known drug dealer around the University of Michigan.  At some point in the evening, while Denis was studying, he asked Paul for Adderall, a commonly used study aid pill, Paul told Denis he didn’t have any Adderall.   Instead, he told Remington and Gibaratz that Denis was looking for Adderall, and the plan was hatched to intoxicate Denis with MDMA and Methylone instead. Denis last goggle search at 11:07 PM on March 18th 2019 was Ritalin, a similar drug to Adderall, because the last Google search on Denis’ computer was “side effects of Ritalin.”

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As you can see in the videos taken of Denis by Remington and posted on Snapchat, it’s obvious is in extreme distress and is no longer in control of his faculties.  Not only do the three co-conspirators humiliate Denis while struggling to breath, but they also assault him while unconscious by pouring an unknown substance in his face.  The Medical Examiner told us the time of Denis’ death due drug intoxication with severe edema and congestion of the brain and lungs would have been measured in minutes, not hours, of the time of the last video around 2:30-3AM on March 19, 2019.  The toxicology results showed massive amounts of MDMA and methylone in Denis’ system.   Throughout the entire four hour-long ordeal, none of them call 911 to help Denis.  What’s more, once they realize he had died, they put into action a serious of events to cover up the crime and protect Nicholas Remington, the one who provided the drugs that killed Denis.

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The police executed a search warrant to Snapchat for transcripts of Remington’s account.  In the transcript, Remington admits to several people when asked, “What did you give him?” that he gave Denis “moll” (street name for MDMA) and methylone.” Those same transcripts have an exchange between Remington and Gibaratz where Gibaratz writes about how Remington is a “murderer” for giving so much of the drugs to Denis.  Gibaratz also told other people Remington gave Denis the drugs under the pretense it was a “study drug.”  These transcripts are available on this Justice for Denis website.

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Parents, as difficult as it is to watch this video, we implore you to watch it with your teenage children. It's so important that young people are vigilant and careful, even in situations that seem perfectly safe. Parents, please appreciate every minute you have with your kids, and never assume tomorrow is guaranteed (James 4:13-24). If you are estranged from your children, I beg you to pick up the phone right now and talk to your child because it could be the last opportunity you get.  One never knows.

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My message to young people is this; nobody loves you as much as your parents. Please take a minute to consider who your truly royal friends are. Friendship isn't found in social media "likes," it's built through personal relationships forged in trials and triumphs. Friendship is tested and perseveres through selfless acts of personal sacrifice and love.

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What happened to my son is proof Paul Wiedmaier was not a best friend or a person to be trusted. He did not care about Denis' safety or even his life. Instead, he allowed a poor member of our community, Nicholas Remington, inside his house, and contributed to four hours of unimaginable suffering for Denis. Suffering that continued until his last breath.