In a quiet neighborhood in Dayton, Tennessee, the life of 21-year-old Michael Oldham was tragically cut short on the first day of June in 2020. The young man was found deceased inside a residence on Tremont Street, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The discovery launched an investigation by the Dayton Police Department, with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, into the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
Initial findings at the scene suggested that Oldham’s death was the result of a homicide. Investigators worked diligently to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Their efforts soon focused on a person of interest, and within a day, an arrest was made in connection with the case. The suspect was identified as Austin Goforth, an acquaintance of the victim.
Authorities located and apprehended Goforth in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, on the evening of June 2nd. Following his arrest, he was transported back to Rhea County for questioning. The investigation uncovered that a dispute over a vehicle was the catalyst for the deadly encounter. Goforth was subsequently charged with criminal homicide, theft of property, and abuse of a corpse. He was booked into the Rhea County Jail as the legal process against him commenced.
