A tragic twist has unfolded in the case of 38-year-old Christopher Ryan Scholtes, an Arizona father who accepted a plea deal earlier this month in the death of his 2-year-old daughter.

A tragic twist has unfolded in the case of 38-year-old Christopher Ryan Scholtes, an Arizona father who accepted a plea deal earlier this month in the death of his 2-year-old daughter. https://www.wfsb.com+3People.com+3New York Post+3

Scholtes was charged after his daughter was found unresponsive in a car outside their Marana home in July 2024. Investigators say the temperature inside the vehicle reached around 109 °F and the child’s body temperature was recorded at 108.9 °F. https://www.wbng.com+1 He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and intentional child abuse as part of the deal. People.com+1

Scholtes was found dead at about 5 a.m. Wednesday in a home near 7th Street and Northern Avenue. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death and investigators are treating it as a suspected suicide. https://www.wdtv.com+1

Under the terms of the plea deal, Scholtes faced a sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison with no possibility of early release. His sentencing was scheduled for November 21. People.com