Overview
- Christopher Scholtes, 38, was found dead around 5 a.m. Wednesday inside a Phoenix home, according to police and medical examiner records.
- Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said he took his own life, and Phoenix police with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner are investigating with a formal report expected in about 90 days.
- He failed to appear for a Pima County court hearing that morning and was due to surrender ahead of a Nov. 21 sentencing under his plea agreement.
- In October, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and intentional/knowing child abuse in the 2024 death of his daughter Parker, facing 20 to 30 years without early release.
- Investigators said the 2-year-old was left in a vehicle for roughly three hours on a 109°F day; an autopsy recorded a body temperature of 108.9°F and video evidence contradicted his initial account.