Husband to be sentenced after confessing to murder of Kelly Paduchowski in Flagstaff

The husband of a Flagstaff woman whose remains were found last week is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.

Daniel Paduchowski pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He is expected to receive a 16-year sentence.

Police located 45-year-old Kelly Paduchowski's body at about 10 a.m. on July 5 but declined to specify where her body was found or who discovered it, citing an active investigation.

In a news conference held last week, Coconino County Attorney Michael Tunink said the victim's husband, Daniel Paduchowski, agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder, evidence tampering, attempting to hide a dead body and possession of controlled substances.

Flagstaff officers arrested the victim's husband, Daniel Paduchowski, on Tuesday after authorities talked with family and witnesses and after processing evidence, police said.

The arrest came after Kelly Paduchowski's cellphone data placed the device in the Schultz Creek Trail area about 10:20 a.m. on June 3, police said, while Daniel Paduchowski was observed in the same area about 11:30 a.m.

At approximately 12:13 p.m., the device was back at the couple's Coconino Estates home, police said. Kelly Paduchowski's white Mazda CX-5 and Daniel Paduchowski were seen about 1:30 p.m. at Campbell Mesa Trail Head, police said.

Tunink said Paduchowski was cooperative with questioning and led police to Kelly's body, cell phone, keys and the weapon allegedly used to kill her. Tunink added that the agreement made with Paduchowski would require him to serve the entirety of a 16-year sentence, though a judge would have to sign off on it.

Police said Paduchowski gave false testimony and tried to mislead the investigation as they searched for his wife's body.

Drones, mountain bike patrols, search dogs and over 60 volunteer search teams were used in an attempt to locate Kelly, police said. Witnesses, many of whom were neighbors of Kelly, helped provide tips and testimony that proved critical in questioning Daniel Paduchowski, police said.

Republic reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. contributed to this article.