A murder suspect is charged with killing the mother of his child and hiding her body in a shopping cart for several days, according to authorities in Colorado.
Thomas Perales, identified as a homeless repeat offender, had violated a protective order against Annette Marie Valdez multiple times and had just been released from custody a week prior to her death.
Valdez, age 37 and the mother of three, was discovered in a dumpster in Westminster, Colorado, on December 4, six days after she went missing on Thanksgiving. Court documents reveal these details.
Perales, the father of her children, is facing charges including second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and violation of a protective order.
According to the affidavit, Perales admitted to having an argument with Valdez on Thanksgiving, during which he “blacked out.” He recounted putting his hand over her mouth and getting her in a headlock.
He later panicked upon finding her dead and used a trash can from a nearby Safeway to dispose of her body, which was wrapped in a blanket.
He reportedly told officers, “Do you know that I killed my wife and paraded her around?” as documented in the affidavit.
Valdez’s family indicated that Perales had been homeless for at least two years, and they learned about his disturbing criminal history from other homeless individuals.
Valdez’s brother, Adam Larson, informed detectives that Perales claimed he had been pushing her around in a shopping cart.
The coroner’s report mentioned injuries to Valdez’s neck that suggested trauma prior to death, although decomposition made a thorough examination challenging.
When Valdez’s family went to check on her after she didn’t return home on Thanksgiving, they found her apartment unlocked. Her phone was on the bed, shoes were inside, and her keys were lying on the ground outside.
Perales has a lengthy history of domestic violence and consistent violations of protective orders aimed at Valdez and her children, based on police reports.
In the most recent incident, on October 24, he attempted to forcibly enter Valdez’s apartment while she was frightened and monitoring him via a Ring camera. Police noted that the door was badly damaged, suggesting an attempt to break in.
Perales was found nearby with a red paint marker and was charged with several offenses, including domestic violence and interfering with a peace officer.
On November 21, just a week before Valdez’s disappearance, an Adams County judge placed him on 12 months of probation and released him.
Valdez’s family stated that they had encouraged her to cut ties with Perales, but she repeatedly returned to him, saying, “That’s the father of my child,” Larson remarked.
Records show police were called to Valdez’s apartment 67 times in the last two years, with nine of those calls related to domestic violence.
As for Valdez’s three daughters, they will be staying with family during Christmas. “Their mother passed away and it’s almost Christmas. I don’t even know what to say to them right now,” Larson’s wife, Annalisa, expressed.
Perales is set to appear in court for the first time on Wednesday, with the Adams County District Attorney’s Office planning to make a formal charging decision soon.
