Arizona man pleads guilty in wife’s death and leads police to her body

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (TCN) -- A 58-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing his wife about a week after he reported her missing to police.

In a press conference, Flagstaff Police Deputy Chief of Operations Collin Seay said that on the evening of June 30, Daniel Paduchowski called police and said his wife, 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski, was missing. Flagstaff Police later described the missing person report as an "attempt to misdirect police resources."

According to officers, Kelly Paduchoswki’s phone had been traced to an area near Schultz Creek Trail at around 10:20 a.m. on June 30. At approximately noon, police said the phone returned to Kelly Paduchowski and Daniel Paduchowski’s home. At 1:30 p.m., Daniel Paduchowski was seen at a trailhead in his wife’s car.

Officers initially arrested Paduchowski on suspicion of aggravated assault, and he was booked into the Coconino County Jail. Flagstaff Police said they had evidence and information that led them to believe his wife "may have been the victim of a homicide."

On July 5, the Coconino County Attorney’s Office announced that Paduchowski pleaded guilty to further charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, concealment of a dead body, and possession of dangerous drugs. Prosecutors said he received a mandatory presumptive sentence of 16 years for the second-degree murder plea, and he will not be eligible for early release.

According to the attorney’s office, the same day he entered the plea, Paduchowski provided information that led investigators to his deceased wife and the recovery of her phone, car keys, and the suspected murder weapon.

Court documents reviewed by KTVK-TV allege neighbors heard a scream and found Kelly Paduchowski in the yard with her husband on top of her. Witnesses reportedly observed Daniel Paduchowski hosing down the same area. Officials allegedly discovered fresh blood at the home.

Kelly Paduchowski’s family told KTVK, "We feel a sense of resolve. We are immensely grateful to the law enforcement teams who have been working closely with us. The city of Flagstaff has been wonderful."