Indiana Man Charged with Arson After Disturbing Incident

Christopher Peden, a 36-year-old from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been charged with arson after a shocking incident where he allegedly severed his own penis to ignite a fire in a garage. Initially claiming he was stabbed, Peden later confessed to the act while in the hospital. The case is ongoing, with potential prison time looming over him. Read on for more details about this disturbing event and the legal proceedings that follow.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 14:43 IST

Incident Overview

A 36-year-old man from Fort Wayne, Indiana, named Christopher Peden, faces a Level 4 felony arson charge. Authorities allege that he mutilated himself and ignited a fire in a detached garage using his severed penis. This shocking event took place on May 6, prompting a response from the Fort Wayne Fire Department after reports of a garage blaze. Concurrently, police were dispatched to investigate a stabbing incident and discovered Peden suffering from serious injuries.

Details of the Incident

Initially, Peden informed the police that he had been stabbed in downtown Fort Wayne and claimed he had been threatened the day before. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for medical care. However, while receiving treatment, Peden allegedly confessed to fabricating his story, expressing a desire to be honest with investigators.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Peden revealed that around 2 AM, he entered the garage, used a kitchen knife to sever his penis, and then doused the severed body part with gasoline before igniting it on the garage floor. After setting the fire, he reportedly distanced himself from the scene until he encountered law enforcement.

Investigators found a red plastic gasoline container, four lighters, and a kitchen knife at the garage. It remains unclear whether the severed organ was recovered. The property owners were alerted to the fire by a neighbor and soon realized that Peden was missing from their home.

Legal Proceedings

Peden has been charged with arson, a serious Level 4 felony in Indiana, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 years. Court documents indicate that he is set to appear in court next week, where trial dates are expected to be established. The case is still ongoing, with the allegations against Peden derived from court filings and statements made by investigators.