An Arizona man who pleaded guilty to murder charges after leaving his 2-year-old daughter to die in a sweltering hot car for hours as temperatures climbed to 109 degrees Fahrenheit has killed himself , officials said Wednesday.

Christopher Scholtes, 38, was found dead in his home Wednesday, the day he was set to appear in court for his sentencing, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover announced at a press conference.

"This little girl's voice was nearly silenced because justice was not served appropriately this morning," Conover said. "But it has not and will not be silenced due to the hard work of the people who work here at the Pima County Attorney's Office."

Online records for the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office confirm that Scholtes died. He is survived by two other childre

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