Westminster, CO – A man has been charged in the death of the mother of his children. Thomas Perales, 38, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder and tampering with a deceased human body.
On Monday, the Westminster Police Department reported a “suspicious” death near Willowbrook Park. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Annette Valdez.
Valdez’s body was discovered in a garbage can; authorities believe she died approximately six days prior to the discovery.
Perales was arrested on Tuesday after he was reportedly the last person seen with Valdez. He is her ex-boyfriend and father of her children.
According to police, Perales was living in homelessness and allegedly transported Valdez’s body in a shopping cart before moving it to the park. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to killing Valdez and described how he “paraded her around.”
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Valdez’s brother, Adam Larson, indicated a history of domestic abuse. He stated the family attempted to help her escape the relationship, but she always returned to Perales.
Recent domestic violence incidents had been reported, with Valdez contacting her mother while watching Perales attempt to break into her apartment.
Perales had been released from jail the previous month and Valdez’s family believes her death was preventable, attributing it to failures in the judicial system.
Valdez is remembered on a GoFundMe page as a “beloved daughter, sister, mother, and friend.” The family expressed devastation and described her as a person whose kindness and laughter impacted everyone around her.
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