Autopsy report released in Marine’s death in Raleigh parking garage. What it says
The autopsy report for a Marine killed in a downtown Raleigh parking garage raises new questions in the October shooting.
Christian Michael Oldham, 30, of Wilmington was fatally shot at 6:21 a.m. Oct. 12 in the parking garage at 400 Salisbury St., police said. He later died at a hospital. Spencer Charles Wrightington, 30, was arrested in Oldham’s death.
Court records show Wrightington was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder Jan. 6, but in a report released last week to The News & Observer, a medical examiner ruled Oldham’s manner of death could not be determined.
Before Oldham was shot, he and Wrightington were reportedly sitting in a parked car in the garage, drinking alcohol after a celebration, according to an investigative report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Oldham was in the driver’s seat and Wrightington was in the passenger’s seat as the pair passed Oldham’s firearm, which they thought was unloaded, back and forth, the autopsy report states. At some point, the 9 mm handgun fired, striking Oldham in the head and prompting Wrightington to call 911, according to the investigative report.
The autopsy found Oldham was shot in the back of the mouth and had soot on his tongue. He was also suffering from “acute ethanol intoxication” at the time of his death with a blood alcohol content of 0.22% — more than twice the legal limit for driving.
Though the cause of Oldham’s death was clear, the medical examiner could not decide on the manner of death, which is typically classified as a homicide in murder cases.
“Given the limited information reported regarding the circumstances surrounding the death, the manner of death is therefore classified as undetermined,” the medical examiner wrote. “If additional investigative information becomes available, it will be taken into consideration, and an amended autopsy report may be generated.”
After originally being denied bail, Wrightington posted $150,000 secured bond Jan. 30. Judge G. Bryan Collins Jr. ordered Wrightington must remain in Pitt County, where his family lives, except for court or appointments with his attorney. He also may not contact Oldham’s family or any witnesses and can’t possess weapons, alcohol or drugs.
Swimmer, lifeguard, Marine
Oldham was born in Durham and grew up in Hillsborough, where he was the captain of the Cedar Ridge High School swim team and worked as a lifeguard, according to his obituary.
He studied criminal justice at UNC Wilmington before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2016.
Oldham served as an infantry assaultman, working his way up to the rank of sergeant before his death, his obituary states. He had recently completed his last deployment and was transitioning to serving as a combat instructor.
“He expressed being worried that no one could take care of his men like he did,” the obituary states. “On every deployment, to ensure safety for him and his men, he always carried his ‘Saint Michael Protect Us’ coin and patch.”
In his free time, Oldham loved to spend time at his family’s lake house with loved ones, dance and play golf or putt-putt, according to his obituary. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, brother and grandmother.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman could not be reached for comment about the case for this story.
