A missing Arizona woman’s remains have been found after she was reported missing, and her husband was arrested in connection to her disappearance, the Flagstaff Police Department said on Friday. According to a statement obtained by FOX 10, the remains of Kelly Paduchowski were found Friday at around 10:00 a.m. “Recovery efforts are active, and due to the investigative efforts in progress, the location of the discovery will not be disclosed at this time,” the statement read.
Kelly Paduchowski, 45, was reported missing Sunday night after her husband reported that she never returned home following a jog and swim, launching nearly a week-long investigation into her disappearance. Daniel Paduchowski, 58, Kelly’s husband, filed a missing persons report after she failed to come home on the evening of June 30, when she went out for a jog and swim, according to police.
Investigators said that on June 30, the day that Kelly went missing, cellphone data from Kelly’s phone was traced back to the area of the Schultz Creek Trailhead around 10:20 a.m., where Daniel was seen in the same area around 11:30 a.m. the same day. Police also interviewed family members and other witnesses throughout the course of the investigation and determined that evidence from the home of Kelly and Daniel shows he assaulted her.
Prior to finding Kelly’s body, police said, based on current evidence and information, they believed that Kelly may be the victim of a homicide. Fox News Digital reached out to the Flagstaff Police Department for comment.
Prosecutors in Coconino County say the husband of a Flagstaff woman whose body was recovered Friday confessed to killing her and hiding her body. Police located 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski’s body at about 10 a.m. Friday, but declined to specify where her body was found or who discovered it, citing an active investigation.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, Coconino County Attorney Michael Tunink said the victim’s husband agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder, evidence tampering, attempting to hide a dead body, and possession of controlled substances. Flagstaff officers arrested the victim’s husband, Daniel Paduchowski, on Tuesday after authorities talked with family and witnesses and after processing evidence, police said.
The arrest came after Kelly Paduchowski’s cellphone data placed the device in the Schultz Creek Trail area about 10:20 a.m. Sunday, police said, while Daniel Paduchowski was observed in the same area about 11:30 a.m. At approximately 12:13 p.m., the device was back at the couple’s Coconino Estates home, police said. Kelly Paduchowski’s white Mazda CX-5 and Daniel Paduchowski were seen about 1:30 p.m. at Campbell Mesa Trail Head, police said.
Tunink said Paduchowski was cooperative with questioning and led police to Kelly’s body, cell phone, keys, and the weapon allegedly used to kill her. Tunink said the agreement made with the suspect would require him to serve the entirety of a 16-year sentence, the maximum sentence for second-degree murder, the attorney said.
Police said Paduchowski gave false testimony and tried to mislead the investigation as they searched for his wife’s body. Drones, mountain bike patrols, search dogs, and over 60 volunteer search teams were used in an attempt to locate Kelly, police said. Eyewitnesses, many of whom were neighbors of Kelly, helped provide tips and testimony that proved critical in questioning Daniel Paduchowski, police said.
The victim’s family was not represented at the press conference, but police across the board offered condolences for the loss of the mother. The news conference also featured Flagstaff Police Department Chief Sean Connolly, who praised the family’s “strength and their resolve in handling this incredibly tragic situation.” Connolly noted that the discovery of Kelly’s body was tragic news for a community gripped with her disappearance. “This has been on everybody’s mind,” said Connolly.
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett offered her condolences to Kelly’s family, noting the community taking action to help find their fellow neighbor. Flagstaff police Sgt. Jerry Rintala said the victim’s family had been notified and asked for their privacy.
Officials confirm they have located the remains of 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski, who was reported missing Sunday in the Flagstaff area. Her husband, Daniel Paduchowski, was arrested for second-degree murder. Daniel originally told authorities Kelly left their home in west Flagstaff Sunday around 1:30 p.m. to go for a run and swim at Lake Mary. Later that evening, Daniel called police to report his wife never returned.
During the investigation and after interviewing witnesses, Daniel was arrested for aggravated assault on Monday. On Friday, after several days of searching the Flagstaff area, police announced Kelly’s remains were located at approximately 10 a.m. The location of her remains will not be disclosed at this time due to investigation efforts, officials say.
Following an investigation, the Coconino County Attorney’s Office reached an agreement with Daniel in which he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealing a body, and a drug offense. These charges come with a 16-year prison term without the possibility of parole release, according to the senior County Attorney. As part of the agreement, authorities say Daniel provided the location of Kelly’s body, her phone, car keys, and the murder weapon. The investigation was conducted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, and Coconino County Attorney’s Office.
According to court paperwork, Kelly’s husband, Daniel, reported her missing shortly after 7:30 p.m. when he had not heard from her and she had not arrived home. During an investigation, Daniel told authorities his wife was going to Lake Mary for a run and swim and he last saw her around 1:30 p.m. Her vehicle was instead located at the Campbell Mesa Trailhead, located in east Flagstaff. Cell phone data showed that Kelly’s phone traveled a near-direct route from their home to the Campbell Mesa Trailhead.
On Monday, officials initially arrested Daniel on an aggravated assault charge after speaking to neighbors who said they saw Kelly lying face-down and motionless with Daniel on top of her. No calls were made to 911 before Daniel reported her missing.
Flagstaff police, in a release Friday, thanked the community and volunteers who helped bring the search to a close. ABC15 will be following this story and continue to provide updates as they become available.
Source: FOX 10, ABC15, AZFamily
