FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Daniel Paduchowski, a 58-year-old resident of Arizona, reported his wife missing on June 30. Nevertheless, he now stands guilty of second-degree murder, confessing to killing her, according to court documents and officials.
Paduchowski initially alerted the Flagstaff Police Department that his wife, Kelly, had not returned from a run and a swim. Officials stated in a press conference on Friday that this was, in fact, an “attempt to misdirect police resources.”
Later, on July 1, Paduchowski was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault. Six days after his wife went missing, her remains were discovered on July 2.
Michael Tunink, senior criminal attorney at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, disclosed on Friday that Paduchowski had “pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealment of a dead body, and possession of dangerous drugs.”
The plea arrangement binds Paduchowski to a 16-year term in the Arizona Department of Corrections. Tunink reiterated that no provision for early release exists.
In accordance with the plea deal, Paduchowski provided information leading to the discovery of Kelly Paduchowski’s remains, her phone, keys, and the murder weapon.
Investigations had earlier traced Kelly’s last cellular activity to the Schultz Creek Trailhead on the day she went missing based on cellphone data. Notably, Daniel Paduchowski was spotted in the same area about an hour later.
Additional examinations and interviews corroborated that evidence from the couple’s home indicated an assault on Kelly.