An Arizona man who reported his wife missing last week has confessed to killing her and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to official and court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Daniel Padukowski, 58, called police on June 30 when his wife, Kelly, hadn’t returned home from a run and swim. Flagstaff police said in a press conference Friday that this was an “attempt to misuse police resources.”
He was arrested Monday on suspicion of aggravated assault, and his wife’s body was discovered Friday morning after a nearly week-long search.
“Daniel Padukowski pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealment of a body and possession of dangerous drugs,” Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Senior Criminal Attorney Michael Tunink said Friday.
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Daniel Padukowski, who reported his wife, Kelly, missing on June 30, confessed to killing her and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to authorities and court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. (Coconino County Sheriff’s Office/Flagstaff Police Department)
Tunnink said the plea agreement requires Padukowski to serve a 16-year sentence in the Arizona Department of Corrections, “which is the presumptive sentence for second-degree murder under Arizona law,” adding that he will not be eligible for early release “of any kind.”
“As part of the agreement, the defendant provided information that led to the deceased victim, Kelly Padukowski,” Tunnink said, including her cell phone, keys and the murder weapon.
Michael Tunink, senior criminal attorney for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, said at a press conference Friday. (Flagstaff Police Department)
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Investigators previously said that on Sunday, June 30, the day she went missing, data from Kelly’s cell phone was traced to around 10:20 a.m. near the Schultz Creek Trailhead, and that Daniel was seen in the same area around 11:30 a.m. that same day.
Daniel Padukowski was seen on video footage in connection with his wife’s murder. (Flagstaff Police Department)
Police also interviewed family members and other witnesses during their investigation and evidence found at his home earlier this week showed the defendant had assaulted the woman.
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“This is obviously a great tragedy for Ms. Kelly’s family and her loved ones,” Tunnink added Friday. “We have been in close contact with Ms. Kelly’s family throughout this process regarding this resolution, which we have pursued to bring closure to a situation that has weighed heavily on this community.”
