John Jefferson
Daniel Paduchowski admitted to killing his wife Kelly Paduchowski in Flagstaff, Arizona, before telling cops where he hid her body in exchange for a plea deal. (Flagstaff police)
An Arizona man is expected to spend the next 16 years in prison in exchange for admitting he murdered his wife he had originally reported missing and pointing cops to where he ditched her body. The case took only a week.
Daniel Paduchowski, 58, pleaded guilty on Friday to second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, concealment of a dead body and possession of dangerous drugs. As part of the plea deal, he told the Flagstaff Police Department where he hid her body. Cops went to the undisclosed location and recovered the body of 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski on Friday morning, Flagstaff police Deputy Chief Collin Seay told reporters during a press conference.
The investigation began on June 30 when Daniel Paduchowski reported his wife missing, claiming she went for a run and swim in the Lake Mary area. However, this was “an attempt to misdirect police resources,” Seay said. Cell phone data shows her phone was actually in the area Shultz Creek Trail around 10 a.m. June 30, on the opposite side of Flagstaff, according to cops. Daniel Paduchowski was seen in the same area around 11:30 a.m. His wife’s phone returned to their home in the Coconino Estates neighborhood shortly after noon.
Surveillance photos captured Daniel Paduchowski and his wife’s vehicle in the area of the Campbell Mesa Trail Head around 1:30 p.m. He reported his wife missing shortly after 7:30 p.m. on June 30.
Court documents obtained by Phoenix CBS affiliate KTVK/KPHO said neighbors heard a scream and saw Kelly Paduchowski laying facedown in the yard with her husband on top of her. He then sprayed the area with the hose.
Seay said when police searched the home on July 1, evidence showed the victim was either seriously hurt or killed. Cops arrested Daniel Paduchowski on an aggravated assault charge as the search continued for his wife. The days-long search included multiple law enforcement agencies, drones, helicopters and dozens of volunteers.
Michael Tunink with the Coconino County Attorney’s Office said prosecutors would allow Daniel Paduchowski to plead guilty to second-degree murder as long as he provided the location of his wife’s body, her phone, her car keys and the murder weapon. He also had to answer all questions truthfully during an interview conducted Friday. A judge will sentence Daniel Paduchowski at a later date. The prison term of 16 years is the maximum sentence for second-degree murder under Arizona law, according to Tunink. Prosecutors and Kelly Paduchowski’s family were in communication during the process, Tunink said.
“This has obviously a monumental tragedy for Kelly and her loved ones,” he said.
Police did not release the cause of death or the motive behind the murder.
Flagstaff police Chief Sean Connolly credited the victim’s family for staying strong during the horrifying ordeal.
“Since the moment I sat in the living room with Kelly’s family, I cannot tell you how impressed I’ve been with their strength and their resolve in handling this incredibly tragic situation,” he said.
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