Crime House Daily – First Watch: Vigilante Father Kills Daughter’s Alleged Rapist, Then Runs for Office Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Katie Ring

Episode Overview

In this First Watch edition, host Katie Ring covers two shocking, father-centered cases making headlines:

1. Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas dad charged with murdering his daughter's alleged rapist—then launching a campaign for sheriff.
2. Christopher Schultz, a father from Arizona who’s accused in the hot-car death of his toddler daughter, facing new legal developments and an unexpected ending.

This episode explores the intersection of vigilantism, parental responsibility, justice system failures, and community responses to polarizing criminal cases.

Case 1: Aaron Spencer – Vigilante Father and Sheriff Candidate

(Starts at 03:43)

Key Points & Timeline

• Incident Origin (October 8, 2024)

  • Aaron Spencer discovers his 13-year-old daughter missing late at night.
  • He suspects Michael Fossler, out on bond after 43 felony charges alleging sexual abuse and internet stalking—his daughter being the primary witness.
  • Believing Fossler kidnapped his daughter to prevent her testimony, Aaron acts. Katie recaps:

    “Aaron is afraid that Fossler has kidnapped her…could go to extreme lengths to prevent that from happening.” (04:49)

• Confrontation & Fatal Shooting

  • Aaron tracks down Fossler’s truck, rams it off the road, confronts and fatally shoots Fossler after a struggle, then rescues his daughter and calls 911. (05:48)
  • He is arrested for first-degree murder, later amended to second-degree.

• Charges and Community Reaction

  • Aaron is released on $150,000 bond. He pleads not guilty, openly admits to the shooting but claims justification in defense of his daughter.
  • Notably:

    “Aaron insists that he’s done nothing wrong…but not because he denies killing anyone. It’s because he believes the man he killed sexually abused his 13-year-old daughter. And now Aaron is running for sheriff.” (04:10)

• Downgraded Charges & Legal Saga

  • Charges reduced to second-degree murder.
  • A judge issues a gag order (Dec 2024) to limit publicity; Aaron appeals.
  • Massive local support: his sister-in-law’s fundraiser reaches $92,000, with petition signatures exceeding 360,000.
  • Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down gag order (May 2025), allowing Aaron to speak publicly.

• Surprise Candidacy for Sheriff

  • In October 2025, Aaron posts a candidacy video on Facebook. Katie plays the audio:

    Aaron: “Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court, and I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures. That's why I'm announcing my candidacy to run for Lonoke County Sheriff.” (11:15)

• Legal and Political Controversies

  • Local support is high due to distrust of law enforcement, but major legal risks remain.
  • Criminal defense attorney John Wesley Hall (quoting CNN):

    “If Aaron was my client, I would advise against this. Hall thinks the campaign will come up in cross examination…It could call his motives and character into question.” (12:10)

  • Sheriff John Staley, whose department arrested Aaron, claims neutrality.
  • Next court date is December 2025; murder trial set for January 2026—just ahead of the primary election.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Community's Hero Narrative:

  “Some think he’s a hero. A lot of people don’t trust law enforcement in Lanoque County. Many of the Spencer’s neighbors see Aaron as someone who stood up and took a stand where the police failed.” (09:48)

• Host’s Reflection on the Case's Complexities:

  “We’ll be keeping a close eye on this case to see if the campaign for sheriff has any impact on the proceedings and if the jury decides that Aaron’s actions were justified or if this is simply just murder.” (13:22)

Case 2: Christopher Schultz – Hot-Car Tragedy and Legal Fallout

(Begins at 13:22)

Key Points & Timeline

• Incident Overview (July 9, 2024, Arizona)

  • Christopher Schultz returns home with his 2-year-old daughter, Parker, on a 110°F day.
  • He leaves her sleeping in the car (with AC on), gets distracted by video games and porn, and forgets her for three hours. Parker, left in a car that automatically shut off, dies from heat exposure.

• Criminal Investigation

  • Immediate police inquiry reveals this was not the first instance; his two older daughters report repeated similar neglect.
  • Wife Erica’s text confronts him:

    “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?” (18:14)

  • Christopher realizes the gravity of his crime:

    “I killed our baby. This can’t be real.” (18:28)

• Legal Proceedings & Plea Negotiations

  • Charged with first-degree murder and child abuse; prosecutors first offer a deal—drop child abuse for a guilty plea to second-degree murder (10–25 years)—he refuses.
  • Wife Erica, a doctor, supports him at his bail hearing. Judge not only sets bail but allows a family vacation to Hawaii pending trial:

    “After a man kills his child with neglect and the judge allows him to go on vacation in Hawaii. It just doesn’t make sense to me.” (20:05)

• Evidentiary Battles & Plea Change

  • Prosecutors barred from introducing evidence of Christopher’s porn search history at trial.
  • Just before trial (October 22, 2025), Christopher accepts a harsher plea:
    • Pleads guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse; sentence now 20–30 years, no parole.

• Final Shocking Turn

  • November 5th: On the day Christopher is to report to custody, he is found dead at home—Phoenix PD treat it as a suicide.
  • Katie reflects:

    “If you are a parent that just feels overwhelmed and you need a second or your brain feels scattered, the CDC recommends techniques like keeping a stuffed animal in the car seat…Any little thing can help.” (22:30)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Parental Neglect and Distractedness:

  “Leaving a child in a burning hot car for three hours is absolutely unforgivable.” (14:50)

• On Justice and Grieving:

  “I understand as a parent, things can slip your mind…when the distraction crosses the border into criminality, innocent people pay the price.” (22:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:43: Aaron Spencer’s case—background, confrontation, and aftermath
• 09:44: Spencer’s charges, community reaction, legal twists, and his sheriff run
• 11:15: Audio: Aaron’s candidacy announcement
• 12:40: Legal expert analysis and upcoming trial details
• 13:22: Transition to Christopher Schultz’s case
• 14:50: Details of the hot-car incident and investigation
• 18:14: Revealed pattern of neglect; Erica’s texts
• 20:05: Shocking bail/vacation decision
• 22:00: Christopher takes plea, then dies by suicide

Tone and Style

Katie Ring maintains a blend of empathy, disbelief, and sharp criticism appropriate for the sensitive, emotionally charged cases discussed. She blends factual reporting with direct rhetorical questions and pointed commentary, underscoring the moral and legal ambiguity present in both cases.

Final Thoughts

Crime House Daily delivers a gripping double feature that probes the boundaries of parental instinct, criminal accountability, and the community’s appetite for vigilante justice. With both stories, the host pushes listeners to reflect on individual actions, systemic failures, and the difficult line between understandable motive and grave crime.

Katie closes with advice to parents on preventing tragic in-car deaths, a broader plea to awareness, and an invitation to listeners for ongoing engagement and discussion.

For breaking updates and expanded dives into each case, follow Crime House Daily on YouTube and social platforms.