The husband of a missing Arizona woman has been arrested as police investigate her disappearance as a possible homicide.
The Flagstaff Police Department announced in a news release Tuesday, July 2, that officers have arrested Daniel Paduchowski, 58, on a charge of aggravated assault as they continue to investigate the disappearance of his wife, Kelly Paduchowski.
“This investigation is ongoing and the number one priority is to locate Kelly, however based on current evidence and information it is believed that Kelly may be the victim of a homicide,” police said in a statement.
Flagstaff Police Sergeant Jerry Rintala reiterated that at a news conference on July 2, according to NBC News, saying they believe Kelly, 45, may have been killed and that officers are focused on finding her body.
“With further evidence and investigation, new charges could come,” Rintala said.
Police also shared a timeline of events surrounding Kelly’s disappearance on Sunday, June 30. They stated that they were able to track the location of her cell phone on the day she disappeared, and her cell phone rang in the Schultz Creek Trail area around 10:20 a.m. Her cell phone returned to her home, which she shared with Daniel in the Coconino Estates neighborhood around 11:30 that morning.
Daniel was also spotted in the Schultz Creek Trail area around 11:30 a.m. and in the Coconino Estates neighborhood around 12:13 p.m. Police said Daniel, along with Kelly’s white Mazda CX-5, were then spotted at the Campbell Mesa Trail Head around 1:30 p.m.
Photos taken at the trailhead obtained by the sheriff’s office reportedly show Daniel, wearing a dark T-shirt and shorts with a hat, looking at an object.
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However, it wasn’t until hours later at 7:39 PM that Daniel reported Kelly missing, “probably in the Lake Mary area,” which is about 17 miles south of the Schultz Creek Trail.
The Flagstaff Police Department said it then “coordinated efforts” with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office for Search and Rescue to locate the 45-year-old woman, but has not yet determined her whereabouts. After speaking with family members and witnesses, police said they “processed the evidence that resulted in the arrest” of Daniel.
However, they did not say what evidence led to their arrest or why aggravated assault charges were filed.
Daniel’s attorney was not immediately known. His bail was initially set at $500,000, the Arizona Daily Sun reports.
Police are asking anyone who was in contact with Kelly, Daniel or saw Kelly’s white Mazda CX-5 on June 30 to contact the police department at 928-774-1414.
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Source: HIS Education