Arizona man pleads guilty to murdering wife

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Less than a week after a missing Arizona woman launched a massive search for her, police announced Friday that her husband admitted to killing her and pleaded guilty to murder charges.

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As part of a deal with Coconino County prosecutors, Daniel Padochowski pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Kelly, 45. He also pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence, concealing a body and possession of dangerous drugs, according to a copy of the plea agreement.

The agreement, reached before a Flagstaff Police Department news conference Friday afternoon, marked a stunningly swift resolution to a murder case that went to trial just days earlier and that might have otherwise dragged on through the justice system for years.

At a news conference, Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly stressed that it had only been six days since police were notified of Kelly Padochowski’s disappearance.

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“I’ve been to barbershops, I’ve been to dry cleaners, I’ve been to restaurants and businesses, and everybody is paying attention to this issue,” he said. “Results like this are achieved when the community stops being passive and becomes engaged.”

Daniel Padochowski, 58, is expected to be sentenced to 16 years in prison without the possibility of parole for murder. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10, said Michael Tuninck, a senior attorney with the Coconino County Attorney’s Office.

Padochowski’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email and phone message seeking comment.

Authorities said Padochowski called Flagstaff police Sunday evening and said his wife had gone to Lake Mary, southeast of Flagstaff, for a run and swim and had not returned.

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Police said relatives quickly began to suspect Daniel Padochowski had a role in his wife’s disappearance after they found her car on the other side of town, nearly three hours away.

By Monday morning, the missing persons case had been converted to a homicide investigation, police said. The next day, the Flagstaff Police Department announced the arrest of Daniel Padochowski.

Tunick said Daniel Padochowski gave authorities information about his wife’s remains and other evidence, including her cellphone, car keys and weapons, as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Flagstaff police said they found Kelly Padochowski’s body Friday morning but did not release a specific location and said they were actively “searching.”

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Authorities said the search for Kelly Padochowski was a massive effort involving local and federal agencies, nearly 50 searchers on foot, by helicopter and by mountain bike, as well as search dogs and drones. Police said about 60 community members also volunteered to help with the search.

Flagstaff Police Chief Connolly said Friday that authorities have been in contact with the victim’s relatives, including her children.

“From the moment I sat in the living room with the Kelly family, I cannot express in words how much I admire their strength and determination in handling this extremely tragic situation,” he said.

— Yamat reports from Las Vegas.

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