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M/CLOUDY Temp: 38 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Monday, February 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend February 1, 2003 Valerie Richardson, 19, (in front) and Megan McCoy, 18, take a moment to remember their friend in front of the growing memorial to Christopher Lynn Bitgood, 23, who died Tuesday after jumping from the second story of this city parking structure to avoid Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Police seek two young men for questioning about the death of a Medford skateboarder By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune As friends and family of 23-year-old Christopher Lynn Bitgood mourned his death, questions remained Friday about the skateboarder’s fall from a downtown Medford parking garage. "He’s jumped off things just as high as this," said 18-year-old Megan McCoy, Bitgood’s former girlfriend. "He just fell wrong somehow, but we’re just not sure how," said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. Police reported that Bitgood suffered head injuries when he jumped from the second story of the parking garage Monday night. The skateboarder was trying to evade a security officer patrolling the building, Moran said. After throwing his skateboard from the second story, Bitgood briefly hung from a ledge and dropped about 10 feet onto the sidewalk at Sixth and Bartlett streets, Moran said. Bitgood was bleeding from his ears when emergency medical crews arrived around 9:25 p.m., police said. He was not wearing a helmet. Bitgood died late Tuesday morning at Providence Medford Medical Center. Investigators still are trying to find two other young men who left when they saw the security guard, Moran said. Police interviewed another skateboarder at the scene, Moran said. Friends have placed flowers, candles, letters and photos at the spot where Bitgood fell. Messages reading "We love you, Daddy Bitgood" and "I’ll see you when I get there" are scrawled in permanent marker on the garage’s walls. Police have erased some messages etched in chalk and are warning mourners about the fines for vandalizing public property with markers and spray paint. "We’re going to be somewhat sympathetic to their initial shrine," Moran said. "But if there’s anything that’s permanent, that’s eventually going to be removed." "I don’t want people to just trash it and throw it all away," McCoy said, adding that she wants to approach city officials about a permanent memorial such as a plaque or mural. A Medford resident, Bitgood had been on probation since August last year after he was convicted of criminal trespass. He also was convicted of numerous property crimes, assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants in the past two years. "A lot of people thought he was up to no good," McCoy said. "But that was totally not the case. He was the most awesome person." A memorial service was held at Table Rock Christian Fellowship Friday afternoon. Bitgood is survived by his parents, Jeffrey and Eugenia Bitgood, and a sister, Courtney Bitgood, all of Central Point. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S