Arizona man pleads guilty to murder in wife’s death less than a week after reporting her missing

Lower than every week after an Arizona lady was reported lacking by her partner, launching an expansive search that shortly changed into a murder investigation, the husband admitted to killing her and pleaded responsible to a homicide cost, authorities introduced Friday.

As a part of cope with prosecutors in Coconino County, Daniel Paduchowski pleaded responsible Friday to second-degree homicide within the loss of life of his 45-year-old spouse, Kelly. He additionally pleaded responsible to tampering with bodily proof, concealment of a lifeless physique and possession of harmful medicine, in accordance with a duplicate of the plea settlement.

The settlement — reached earlier Friday earlier than the Flagstaff Police Division held a day information convention — marks a surprising and swift decision to a murder case that was opened simply days earlier and that would have in any other case stretched for years because it made its means by the authorized system.

On the information convention, Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly emphasised that it had been simply six days since authorities had been alerted of Kelly Paduchowski’s disappearance.

“I used to be on the barber. I have been on the dry cleaners. I have been to eating places and companies, and this has been on everyone’s thoughts,” he mentioned. “When communities are usually not detached, and they’re engaged at this stage, these are the outcomes that you’ve got.”

Michael Tunink, a senior lawyer on the Coconino County lawyer’s workplace, mentioned Daniel Paduchowski, 58, is anticipated to be sentenced to 16 years with out the opportunity of parole for the homicide cost. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Paduchowski’s lawyer didn’t instantly reply to e-mail and cellphone messages looking for remark.

Authorities mentioned Paduchowski referred to as Flagstaff police on Sunday evening, saying his spouse by no means returned after leaving to go for a run and a swim at Lake Mary, southeast of Flagstaff.

Police mentioned they shortly started to suspect Daniel Paduchowski had been concerned in his spouse’s disappearance, after the girl’s kinfolk discovered her automobile on the alternative aspect of city, practically three hours away.

By Monday morning, police mentioned, the lacking individuals case had changed into a murder investigation. The Flagstaff Police Division introduced Daniel Paduchowski’s arrest the subsequent day.

As a part of his cope with prosecutors, Daniel Paduchowski offered authorities with details about his spouse’s stays and different proof, together with her cellphone, automobile keys and the weapon, Tunink mentioned.

Flagstaff police mentioned they discovered Kelly Paduchowski’s stays on Friday morning however didn’t launch the placement, citing lively “restoration efforts.”

Authorities mentioned the seek for Kelly Paduchowski was expansive, together with native and federal businesses, practically 50 search and rescue members who searched by foot, helicopter and on mountain bikes, in addition to search canines and drones. About 60 folks from the group additionally volunteered for the search effort, police mentioned.

Connolly, the Flagstaff police chief, mentioned Friday that authorities have been in fixed contact with the sufferer’s kinfolk, together with her kids.

“Because the second I sat in the lounge with Kelly’s household, I can’t let you know how impressed I’ve been with their power and their resolve in dealing with this extremely tragic state of affairs,” he mentioned.

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Yamat reported from Las Vegas.