FLAGSTAFF, AZ — On Tuesday, the husband of 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski, who was reported missing in Flagstaff and later found dead, was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Kelly was originally reported missing on June 30 by her husband Daniel Paduchowski.
Daniel originally told authorities Kelly left their home in west Flagstaff on June 30 around 1:30 p.m. to go for a run and swim at Lake Mary. Later that evening, Daniel called police to report that his wife never returned.
During the investigation and after interviewing witnesses, Daniel was arrested for aggravated assault.
After several days of searching in the Flagstaff area, police announced Kelly's remains were located miles from where the search began.
According to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Daniel took them to multiple areas during the search for evidence.
Days later, Daniel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Court documents revealed neighbors reportedly heard screams and saw Kelly motionless in the backyard just hours before Daniel reported the 45-year-old missing.
"It's my understanding that she was very well known and very loved, and very well known within our area," said Jon Paxton with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at a previous time.
A new Flagstaff police report obtained by ABC15 shows that in the days following her disappearance, the community jumped in to help. That same report said police noted Daniel appeared "unworried."
Daniel appeared in court on Tuesday where he was sentenced on the following counts:
Count 1: 16 years
Count 2: 1 year
Count 3: 1.5 years
Count 4: 1.5 years
According to court officials, his sentencing will run concurrently with no early release.
Kelly's twin sister Lindsey McFall spoke during the sentencing, "Daniel could not have taken a more important person from me."
"Daniel robbed me of this sacred final opportunity with my beloved twin sister, as he left her precious body to decompose alone in a tarp for several days while hoping to get away with murder," said Lindsey.
Kelly's family told the Judge, Daniel had anger issues they saw first hand, and described marital issues before the murder.
"Daniel brutally murdered my precious sister because she wanted a long overdue divorce," said Kelly's sister Shannon McFall.
The cause of the 45-year-old's death has still not been revealed, but Tuesday in court the Chief Deputy Coconino County Attorney Michael Tunink mentioning a weapon. He also laid out a timeline and explained why they offered the plea deal.
"If Kelly was not found within a matter of days after an agreement was entered, it was possible that the cause of mechanism of death might never have been determined," said Tunink.
Kelly's family described how emotionally and financially difficult this loss has been. Everyone coming together to help take care of the couple's two young children.
"To her kids she was the world, and I'm so heartbroken for them," said Lindsey.
Kelly's sisters held hands as Daniel apologized and read a lengthy written statement.
"I wish all the time that I could have that day back to do over," said Daniel. I still do not know what came over me. Pain, grief, fear, sadness, bewilderment at the loss of love."
The Coconino County Attorney's Office shared a statement with ABC15 after Daniel's sentencing:
“This sentence was the result of careful coordination between Kelly’s family, law enforcement, and the Coconino County Attorney’s Office. The main goals of this resolution were to recover Kelly, ensure the defendant stays in prison until Kelly’s children are grown, and avoid a trial that could prolong the family’s pain. While no sentence can ease the loss of Kelly, we hope the family can start healing now that the case is resolved.”
