The transgender boyfriend of Tyler Robinson, who is connected to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, had a troubled background during his late high school years, largely due to his family’s discontent with his departure from the Mormon faith.
Lance Twiggs, 22, comes from a mixed family, having six biological siblings and three who were adopted. The siblings closest to him are distanced from the family, having moved out of Utah as soon as they turned adults.
According to a friend, Twiggs was kicked out of his home during high school due to alleged drug and alcohol use while he was still a minor.
A 19-year-old named Braylon Nielsen mentioned that her family took Twiggs in around 2021 when he was having difficulties. He was friends with her siblings, although they didn’t know much about his struggles.
“It was off and on—he was bouncing around,” she explained, noting he often crashed at a friend’s place. “I loved Lance. His parents drove him out, and my family didn’t really approve of them.”
Nielsen said that Twiggs’ family dismissed his departure from their religion and his parents appeared to be quite devout, which led to community gossip about him.
Despite the challenges, Twiggs was recognized as a “Straight A” student by a friend who spoke highly of his diligence. “He was never into drugs,” she stated, emphasizing how he preferred to avoid partying.
Nielsen described a high school dance they attended together, highlighting how he always made sure everyone felt included and taken care of.
Venkaufman, the executive director of UT Success Academy, mentioned that he hadn’t personally interacted with Twiggs but had received positive feedback about him from the community. “He was a great kid, kind and hardworking,” he noted.
While defending her friend, Nielsen asserted that Twiggs had no involvement in Robinson’s actions. “It was all Tyler, not Lance,” she said firmly.
Twiggs recently left the townhouse he shared with Robinson, who grew up in a strict Mormon household in St. George, Utah. Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby previously stated that Twiggs was in a “safe space” far from St. George, emphasizing the need for his well-being.
As of now, Twiggs has not been charged with any crimes related to the assassination and is reportedly cooperating with law enforcement.
