FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – An Arizona man has agreed to plead guilty to killing his wife less than a week after reporting her missing, officials announced on Friday.
Daniel Paduchowski, 58, called the Flagstaff Police Department Sunday evening, saying his wife never returned after going for a run and a swim at Lake Mary, southeast of Flagstaff, Fox News Digital reported.
Authorities launched an expansive search for 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski involving approximately 50 search and rescue personnel using a wide variety of resources. Police noted that about 60 private citizens also volunteered time to help find the missing woman.
Relatives found her car on the other side of town and investigators quickly began to suspect Daniel Paduchowski had been involved in his wife’s disappearance.
As a result, police said the missing persons case developed into a homicide investigation by Monday morning.
Investigators said that on June 30, the day that Kelly Paduchowski went missing, cellphone data from her phone was traced back to the area of the Schultz Creek Trailhead around 10:20 a.m., where Daniel Paduchowski was seen in the same area around 11:30 a.m. the same day.
Daniel Paduchowski pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Kelly Paduchowski. (Flagstaff Police Department)
The Flagstaff Police Department announced Daniel Paduchowski’s arrest on Tuesday. He reportedly acknowledged killing his wife and agreed to plead guilty to murder, authorities announced on Friday, according to the New York Post.
Police in Arizona found Kelly Paduchowski’s remains on Friday morning but did not release the location, citing active “recovery efforts.” (Flagstaff Police Department)
Daniel Paduchowski pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the death of Kelly Paduchowski. He also pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence, concealment of a dead body and possession of dangerous drugs, according to a copy of the plea agreement.
As part of the lightning-fast deal with prosecutors, Daniel Paduchowski provided detectives with information about his wife’s remains and other evidence, including her cellphone, car keys and a weapon allegedly used to kill her, Michael Tunink, a senior attorney at the Coconino County Attorney’s Office said.
Flagstaff police said they located Kelly Paduchowski’s remains Friday morning but did not release the location, citing active “recovery efforts.”
The plea agreement was reached early Friday before the Flagstaff Police Department held an afternoon news conference with the announcement.
Officials did not disclose details about what might have led to the homicide, nor did the plea agreement include information indicating a possible motive.
Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly said Friday that authorities have been in constant contact with the victim’s relatives, including her children, the New York Post reported.
“Since the moment I sat in the living room with Kelly’s family, I cannot tell you how impressed I have been with their strength and their resolve in handling this incredibly tragic situation,” he said.
Tunink said Daniel Paduchowski is expected to be sentenced to 16 years without the possibility of parole for the murder charge. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.
