Police arrest husband of missing Arizona woman on aggravated assault charge

Lina Portman2 days ago

1 1 minute read

Kelly Paduchowski, 45, was reported missing Sunday. Police said Tuesday they believe she was killed and named her husband as a suspect. Photo courtesy of Flagstaff Police Department/Release

July 3 (UPI) — The husband of an Arizona woman missing since Sunday has been arrested, authorities said, as they now say the case is a homicide.

Kelly Paduchowski, 45, was reported missing shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday by her husband, Daniel Paduchowski, in the Lake Mary area, the Flagstaff Police Department said in a statement.

A search has been launched for the woman, but authorities said Tuesday they now believe they are trying to recover her body.

“That's what we believe at this point,” Flagstaff Police Sergeant Jerry Rintala told reporters at a news conference.

Rintala said Daniel Paduchowski was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault and was booked into the Coconino County Jail where he is being held on bail.

He said witness statements and evidence found at their Coconino Estates residence indicate “something happened” there that led to the charges being filed.

He did not provide further details about the attack, but said Kelly Paduchowski was the victim.

“This investigation is ongoing and the number one priority is to locate Kelly,” he said, reading from a written statement. “However, based on current evidence and information, it is believed that Kelly may be the victim of a homicide.”

A timeline of events released Tuesday by the police department shows that cellphone data from Kelly Paduchowski places her in the area of Schultz Creek Trail around 10:20 a.m. Sunday.

About an hour later, Daniel Paduchowski was observed in the same area.

Shortly before 12:15 p.m., Kelly Paduchowski's cell phone returned to their residence. But her car, identified as a white 2018 Mazda CX-5, was spotted at Campbell Mesa Trail Head around 1:30 p.m., as was Daniel Paduchowski.

Daniel Paduchowski then reported his wife missing at 7:39 p.m.

Police are asking for the public's help with the investigation, and are asking anyone who has had contact with the two people or seen one of their vehicles to contact them immediately.

Police identified Daniel Paduchowski's car as a 2001 Toyota Sequoia.