Wixom Man Charged With Manslaughter In One-Punch Death

WIXOM (WWJ) - A 27-year-old Wixom man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the one-punch death of another man.

Phillip Myers is accused of hitting 43-year-old Chris Markiewicz of New Hudson last month at the Kensington Place mobile home park.

Myers' 17-year old stepsister told police that as she gave a drunken Markiewicz a ride home on August 24 when he propositioned her for sex. The teen shrugged off his advances but when Markiewicz showed up at her home the next day and refused to leave, Myers reportedly punched him and knocked him to the ground.

Oakland County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene but Markiewicz said he didn't want to press charges. Just over an hour later, he called 911 and reported having chest pains and difficulty breathing. Markiewicz, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was taken to the hospital and eventually placed on life support. He died early Monday.

According to reports, an autopsy determined Markiewicz's death was caused by neck compression with complications.

Myers was initially charged with aggravated assault but after Markiewicz's death, authorities elevated the charge to manslaughter. He was ordered jailed on a  $50,000 cash bond.