Joshua Nair
A father who was charged with killing his teenage daughter's alleged rapist is now running for sheriff.
Aaron Spencer, from Lonoke County, Arkansas, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly taking matters into his own hands after discovering 67-year-old Michael Fosler with his now 14-year-old daughter.
In 2024, Spencer and his wife, Heather, learnt of the multiple instances of alleged sexual assault their daughter had endured at the hands of Fosler after she confided in a family member, who then told the parents.
Heather claimed in a Facebook post that he'd begun contacting her through text messages after meeting her at a family friend's house.
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Fosler was facing 43 charges, which included internet stalking and pandering or possessing child pornography, though it is unknown if all the charges are in relation to Spencer's daughter.
He would be released on a $50,000 bond, though, and the family moved to issue a no-contact order against Fosler, though this didn't stop him, according to CNN.
Heather further claimed in her post that they 'trusted that this man would be served justice under the law', but they did not know that 'he was released on a low bond with zero supervision'.
After awaking to find his daughter missing from her bed, Spencer drove around his neighbourhood in his truck until he found Fosler with her, leading to a car chase.
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Court documents say that Fosler was forced off the road before Spencer shot him, with the father allegedly calling 911 to report that he'd shot the 67-year-old, telling the dispatcher that the 'man who kidnapped' his daughter was 'dead on the side of the road' as he had 'no choice' but to defend her.
In October 2024, Spencer was charged with second-degree, with his pre-trial set for 16 December and his trial beginning on 26 January 2026.
In a video on Facebook, he announced his intention to run for the position of Lonoke County sheriff, claiming that he was 'the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed'.
Speaking further on social media, he said: “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.”
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He added that this was an attempt to restore trust in law enforcement, claiming: “This campaign isn’t about me; it’s about every parent, every neighbour, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and in their community.
"It’s about restoring trust, where neighbours know law enforcement is on their side and families know they will not be left alone in a moment of need.”
Heather has stuck by her husband, telling CNN that she 'really couldn’t ask for a better husband or father', adding: "His support and love for his family is strong and unwavering."
Meanwhile, a GiveSendGo petition was set up by Heather's sister to raise money for Spencer's family.
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It said: "I am making this campaign for my sister and brother-in-law (Heather & Aaron Spencer) and their children as they navigate their lives after the devastating trauma they’ve been through.
“This is for their personal use, such as therapy measures and keeping their family afloat amid Aaron’s daunting legal proceedings, *(edit) as well as legal fees.”
As of writing, the fundraiser has received over $81,000.
LADbible Group has contacted Lonoke County Sheriff's Office for comment.