Charlie Kirk assassination suspect Tyler Robinson’s transgender boyfriend was reportedly kicked out of the parents’ home during the latter years of high school over their Mormon faith.Lance Twiggs, 22, bounced between homes during his latter years of high school after clashing with his family over their beliefs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, New York Post reported. Twiggs was expelled from his home after distancing himself from the family’s religious doctrines and reportedly experimenting with drugs and alcohol during his youth. He sought refuge with two friends, brothers from a large, blended family comprising six biological children and three adoptees, according to their sister, Braylon Nielsen, who spoke to The Post on Wednesday. While the brothers are now estranged from the family, the 19-year-old remembers Twiggs fondly, noting that they took him in during his junior year in 2021, despite the family’s limited knowledge of the troubled high schooler. “It was on and off. He was bouncing couches. He would live with us for a few months, but didn’t like taking up our couch. He would crash with friends,” she explained. “I loved Lance. His parents kicked him out of his house, and he lived with us. His parents never sat right with my family,” Nielsen added. She further commented that his parents appeared overbearing in their religious zeal and dismissed family members’ claims as spiteful gossip. “Lance, that I know of, has never done drugs. He was always like, ‘I don’t want to go out and party.’ He just wasn’t a big partier,” she said. Despite the tensions, Nielsen praised Twiggs as a “hardworking” and “straight A” student who ensured inclusivity during his time at UT Success Academy, an accelerated programme for gifted students pursuing college-level courses. “We went to a dance once, a high school dance, and he was very involved with it. Made sure everyone had rides. Made sure everyone had clothes. He just took care of people. My sister’s car broke down once, and he came out to help her,” she added. Ben Kaufman, Executive Director of UT Success Academy, did not have direct interactions with Twiggs, who graduated around the time Kaufman began working at the school. However, Kaufman stated, “Everything I’ve heard about him, he was a great kid. He was nice. He worked hard.” Despite being open about his issues, Nielsen revealed she was unaware that Twiggs was transgender. She defended Twiggs, asserting he had no involvement in Robinson’s plan. “I think that’s all Tyler. The Lance that I knew would never do something like that. I could never see Lance doing that,” she insisted. Nielsen’s mother, Jackie, also maintains that Twiggs is innocent in the assassination plot against Kirk, hoping he finds peace post-investigation. “I don’t believe Lance would have any part of that. He’s a good kid. He’s a kid. He’s compassionate. He minds his own business. I hope the world lightens up on him and stops being so hateful until they have all the facts. He doesn’t deserve this,” she told The Post. Twiggs recently left the townhouse he shared with Robinson, who was similarly raised as a devout Mormon, in St George, Utah. Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby previously stated that Twiggs was in a “safe space very far away from St George,” and needed “to lay low for a long time.” He has not been charged with any crime in connection with Kirk’s assassination and is reportedly cooperating with authorities.
