FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The husband of 45-year-old Kelly Padukowsky, who was reported missing and later found dead in Flagstaff, was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison.
Kelly was initially reported missing on June 30 by her husband, Daniel Padukowsky.
Daniel initially told authorities that Kelly left his West Flagstaff home to run and swim in Lake Mary on June 30 around 1:30 p.m. Later that night, Daniel called police to report that his wife had not returned.
During the investigation and after interviewing witnesses, Daniel was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault.
After several days of searching the Flagstaff area, police announced that Kelly’s body was located several miles away from where the search began.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said Daniel took them to multiple areas while searching for evidence.
A few days later, Daniel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Court documents revealed that hours before Daniel reported the 45-year-old missing, neighbors heard screams and saw Kelly motionless in the backyard.
John Paxton with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office previously said, “It is our understanding that she was very well known, very loved and very well known within our community.” Ta.
A new Flagstaff police report obtained by ABC15 reveals that the community rushed to help in the days after her disappearance. In the same report, police said they noted that Daniel “didn’t seem concerned.”
Daniel appeared in court on Tuesday and was found guilty of the following charges:
Count 1: 16 years
Count 2: 1 year
Count 3: 1.5 years
Count 4: 1.5 years
His sentences will be served concurrently without early release, court officials said.
“Daniel could never have taken another person away from me,” Kelly’s twin sister Lindsey McFall said at the sentencing.
“Daniel robbed me of this last sacred opportunity to be with my beloved twin sister, leaving her precious body to rot alone in a tarp for several days while trying to get away with murder charges,” Lindsey said. ” he said.
Kelly’s family told the judge that Daniel had seen first-hand anger issues and had described marital problems before the killing.
“Daniel brutally murdered my precious sister because she had wanted a divorce for a long time,” Kelly’s sister Shannon McFall said.
The 45-year-old’s cause of death has not yet been determined, but in court Tuesday, Coconino County Prosecutor Michael Tuninck mentioned a weapon. He also provided a timeline and explained why he proposed the plea deal.
“Had Kelly not been found within days of signing the agreement, the cause of death may never have been determined,” Tunninck said.
Kelly’s family spoke of how difficult the loss had been both emotionally and financially. Everyone comes together to help care for the couple’s two young children.
“She meant the world to these children, and my heart truly hurts for them,” Lindsey said.
Kelly’s sisters held hands as Danielle apologized and read a lengthy written statement.
“I wish I could do that day over again,” Daniel said. I still don’t know what hit me. The pain, the sadness, the fear, the grief, the bewilderment of losing a love. ”
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office released the following statement to ABC15 after Daniel’s sentencing:
“This verdict was the result of careful coordination between Kelly’s family, law enforcement, and the Coconino County Attorney’s Office. The goal was to keep Mr. Kelly in prison and avoid a potentially painful and painful trial for his family, but no sentence can ease the loss that Kelly felt, now that the case has been resolved. I hope you can begin to heal.”
