In a shocking incident in Colorado, a man has been accused of murdering the mother of his children and subsequently transporting her body in a shopping cart for several days before discarding it in a trash can. The accused, Thomas Perales, 38, is facing charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, habitual domestic violence, and two counts of violating a protection order, as per the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Colorado.
The case came to light on December 4 when the Westminster Police Department began investigating a suspicious death near Willowbrook Park in Westminster, a suburb north of Denver. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Annette Valdez, and her death was being treated as a homicide. Local media outlets reported that Valdez’s body was discovered in a park trash can, and it is believed she had been dead for up to six days before her body was found.
Perales was arrested on December 5, having been the last person seen with Valdez. He is the father of Valdez’s children and her former boyfriend. Perales, who was homeless, is alleged to have transported Valdez’s body in a shopping cart before leaving her near a creek. Upon his arrest, Perales reportedly confessed to killing Valdez and parading her body around. The cause of Valdez’s death remains unknown.
Adam Larson, Valdez’s brother, revealed that his sister had been a victim of domestic abuse for years. Despite the family’s efforts to separate her from Perales, Valdez always returned to him, citing that he was the father of her children. Larson expressed his suspicion of Perales’ involvement in his sister’s death.
The most recent incident of domestic violence was reported when Valdez called her mother while observing Perales through a Ring camera. Perales was allegedly attempting to break into her apartment, damaging the door, and smearing paint on the camera. He had been released from jail on November 21, and Valdez’s family views her death as a preventable tragedy and a failure of the system.
Analisa Larson, Adam Larson’s wife, expressed her frustration with the lack of resources available to Valdez to ensure her safety. She criticized the system for merely providing a protection order without any substantial support when the abuser continues to return. Valdez is remembered as a beloved daughter, sister, mother, and friend, whose life was tragically cut short due to domestic violence. Her family is struggling to come to terms with the unimaginable loss.