A father took his own life using carbon monoxide poisoning the day before he was due to begin a lengthy prison sentence for the death of his two-year-old daughter in a hot car, authorities have confirmed.
The Final Hours and a Chilling Discovery
Christopher Scholtes, 38, was found dead at approximately 5:20am on 5 November inside the garage of the $1 million Phoenix home he shared with his wife, Dr Erika Scholtes. According to the summary report by medical examiner Daniel Casa, Scholtes was discovered 'unresponsive in a running car in his garage'.
The day after his suicide, he was scheduled to report to prison to start a 20 to 30-year sentence for the second-degree murder of his daughter, Parker. The toddler died in July 2024 from heatstroke after her father left her napping in the family car for three hours while he drank beer, watched pornography, and played video games.
A neighbour told the Daily Mail that Scholtes was found in his beloved red Honda S2000 convertible. The report also revealed that a suicide note was left inside the house and that Scholtes had placed a living will on the car's roof in case his attempt failed.
A Planned End and a History of Distress
The medical examiner's report outlined a meticulously planned suicide. A rope and ladder were also arranged in the garage, suggesting Scholtes had prepared a secondary method. His blood carboxyhemoglobin level was 80%, vastly exceeding the 2-3% typical for a healthy non-smoker.
Casa catalogued Scholtes' significant mental and physical health struggles, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and substance use involving cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana. 'He reportedly made suicidal statements after the death of his daughter, and he had recently exhibited a depressed mood,' Casa wrote. The report noted Scholtes was 'under stress' from his criminal case.
The scene was discovered by his wife and the couple's live-in nanny. A neighbour described the chaotic aftermath: 'They were all standing looking at the car and he was already in the car dead at that time... All of a sudden [Erika] started walking around and this other lady pulled up all frantic.'
The Tragic Crime That Led to Prison
Scholtes ended his life 16 months after Parker's death on 9 July 2024 at their former home in Marana, Arizona. He told police he left the toddler in the car with the engine and air conditioning running because she was asleep, but he lost track of time. The engine's automatic shut-off feature engaged after about 20 minutes.
Police testing later found the surface temperature of Parker's car seat reached 149.1°F (65°C). Crime scene photos showed tiny handprints on the inside of the window near where she was strapped into her forward-facing seat.
Parker was only discovered when Dr Erika Scholtes returned home from work. The couple's two older daughters described the frantic moment to detectives, with one officer recording: '"My dad started screaming cause he walked outside and he saw that she was in the car still, her lips were purple and she wasn't breathing."'
Scholtes had rejected a plea deal in March for a sentence of up to 10 years. By September, he was forced to accept a far harsher agreement, pleading guilty to second-degree murder with a 20 to 30-year term without parole. He was allowed to remain on bail until 5 November, which he used to plan his suicide.
Since her husband's death, Dr Erika Scholtes, who continued to support him throughout the legal process, has maintained a low profile. She was recently seen preparing for the holidays with family at the Phoenix home purchased in April.
