Daniel Paduchowski: Flagstaff man sentenced to prison for murdering his wife

PHOENIX - Daniel Paduchowski, a Flagstaff man who authorities say admitted to killing his wife, learned his punishment on Oct. 15.

In court, a judge sentenced Paduchowski to 16 years behind bars. He will not be eligible for any kind of early release.

Paduchowski was arrested for the murder of his wife, Kelly, in June. He initially reported that his wife was missing in the Flagstaff area, but shortly after, police declared the case suspicious, and arrested Daniel.

As part of a deal, Paduchowski pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Murder, and led police to Kelly's body and other evidence.

In court on Tuesday, a motive was also revealed for the murder, as loved ones say Kelly was going to divorce Daniel, and told him this. It was also revealed that Daniel tired to cover up the murder through texting Kelly's mother on her phone, and went biking with it to suggest she was still alive.

During Tuesday's proceedings, Daniel admitted to the judge he felt something overtake him when he killed his wife, and told her family he was sorry. Inside the courtroom, Kelly's loved ones shared how she was a kind, courageous, and loving mother. A statement was read on their behalf after the court adjourned.

"The family thanks law enforcement for through investigation and County Attorney's Office's, and is really grateful for outpouring of love and support," a portion of the statement reads.

Daniel was sentenced to other charges surrounding the death, and those sentences will run concurrent with the 16-year sentence.