An Arizona man, Christopher Ryan Scholtes, was found dead in an apparent suicide just days before his scheduled sentencing for the hot car death of his daughter in 2024. Scholtes, 38, had previously entered a guilty plea for second-degree murder and child abuse charges related to the incident. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the Pima County Attorney’s Office confirmed his death yesterday.
Phoenix police responded to the Scholtes family home near 3rd Street and Northern Avenue yesterday morning, treating Christopher Scholtes's death as a suicide. This came after the high-profile case in which Marana police and firefighters found his two-year-old daughter unresponsive in the backseat of a car on July 9, 2024. The girl was taken to a hospital but did not survive, with an autopsy report showing a body temperature of 108.9 degrees, while temperatures outside reached up to 111 degrees on that fateful day.
Neighbors expressed shock over the news of Scholtes's death, illustrating the impact of the tragedy on the community. As FOX 10 Phoenix reports, Patty Waxman, a neighbor, commented on the tight-knit nature of the community and their genuine concern. In a different conversation, Joseph Kendagor talked about having seen the family celebrating Halloween just last week.
Body-camera video from the day of the initial incident showed a distraught father, as he told authorities it was "his worst nightmare." Additionally, Scholtes' other children, ages 5 and 9, reported that being left in the car was a common occurrence, according to KPTV. His plea agreement included a sentencing range of 20 to 30 years in prison, and Scholtes was due to face sentencing on Nov. 21.
In light of the incident and the surrounding circumstances, the community and the legal system grapple with the aftermath of a case that ended with another tragedy. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover extended her "deepest sympathies and sorrow" to those affected by the loss of the young girl and now Scholtes. For those in crisis or coping with loss, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides support and resources, as noted by both sources.
