Body of missing Flagstaff woman found; husband admits to killing her in plea deal
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The Coconino County Attorney’s Office announced a plea deal for the suspect in the death of a Flagstaff woman who went missing after leaving her home last weekend.
Michael Tunink, senior attorney for the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, said that 58-year-old Daniel Paduchowski has agreed to a plea deal that, if approved by a judge, Paduchowski would plead guilty to second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, concealment of a dead body, and possession of dangerous drugs.
Those charges are connected to the death of his wife, 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski.
The agreement, prosecutors say, requires Daniel to serve 16 years in prison, which is the presumptive sentence for second-degree murder in the state of Arizona. He is not eligible for early release.
On Friday, search crews recovered Kelly’s body, who vanished from her Flagstaff home on Sunday, June 30.
Details surrounding where Kelly Paduchowski’s remains were found weren’t immediately released. However, the Flagstaff Police Department confirmed that her body was found around 10 a.m. after Daniel led authorities to Kelly’s remains, cell phone, and the murder weapon.
As Arizona’s Family previously reported, Daniel reported her missing that night, saying she had left earlier in the day to go for a run and a swim.
Flagstaff police and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office soon began searching for her. Daniel was then later arrested for aggravated assault.
Court documents related to Daniel’s arrest detail how neighbors reportedly heard a scream and saw Kelly lying face down in the yard, with Daniel on top of her. Documents described that neighbors later saw Daniel spraying down the same area with a hose.
Investigators later found fresh blood at the residence.
The full timeline of events shows cell phone data, which places Kelly’s phone at Shultz Creek Trail around 10:20 a.m. that Sunday. Because of that, they focused their efforts on the forest around Snowbowl on Wednesday.
“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,” said Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly. “So, on behalf of all of us, we just want to pause for one second and make sure we recognize this incredible family and this incredible woman and her children and how strong they have been through this entire process.”
Kelly’s family sent Arizona’s Family a statement that reads in part: “...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.”
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