A man in Arizona will spend the next 16 years in prison for admitting to the murder of his wife, whom he had initially reported missing.
He also revealed to the police where he had hidden her body.
The case reached a resolution in just a week.
Daniel Paduchowski, 58, pleaded guilty on Friday to second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, concealing a dead body, and possessing dangerous drugs.
As part of his plea deal, he disclosed to the Flagstaff Police Department the location of his wife's body.
Officers went to the site and recovered the remains of 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski on Friday morning, as reported by Flagstaff police Deputy Chief Collin Seay during a press conference.
The investigation began on June 30 when Daniel Paduchowski reported his wife missing.
He claimed she went for a run and a swim in the Lake Mary area.
However, this was an attempt to mislead the police, Seay said.
Cell phone data revealed that her phone was actually near Shultz Creek Trail around 10 a.m. on June 30, on the opposite side of Flagstaff.
Daniel Paduchowski was seen in the same area around 11:30 a.m.
Her phone returned to their home in the Coconino Estates neighborhood shortly after noon.
Surveillance photos showed Daniel Paduchowski and his wife's vehicle near the Campbell Mesa Trail Head around 1:30 p.m.
He reported his wife missing shortly after 7:30 p.m.
Court documents indicated that neighbors heard a scream and saw Kelly Paduchowski lying facedown in the yard with her husband on top of her.
On July 1, police searched the Paduchowski home and found evidence suggesting that Kelly had been seriously injured or killed.
Daniel Paduchowski was arrested on an aggravated assault charge while the search for his wife continued.
The search involved multiple law enforcement agencies, drones, helicopters, and dozens of volunteers.
Michael Tunink from the Coconino County Attorney’s Office stated that prosecutors would allow Daniel Paduchowski to plead guilty to second-degree murder if he provided the location of his wife's body, her phone, her car keys, and the murder weapon.
He was also required to answer all questions truthfully during an interview.
A judge will sentence Daniel Paduchowski at a later date.
The 16-year prison term is the maximum sentence for second-degree murder under Arizona law, according to Tunink.
He noted that prosecutors and Kelly Paduchowski’s family were in constant communication throughout the process.
“This has been a monumental tragedy for Kelly and her loved ones,” Tunink said.
The police did not release the cause of death or the motive behind the murder.
Flagstaff police Chief Sean Connolly praised Kelly’s family for their strength during this ordeal.
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