Man killed ex then ‘paraded’ her body around
Inset left: Thomas Perales (Westminster Police Department). Inset right: Annette Valdez (GoFundMe). Background: The scene of the Westminster police officers investigating a "suspicious" death near Willowbrook Park in Colorado (Westminster Police Department).
A man in Colorado allegedly killed the mother of his children and pushed her body around in a shopping cart for days before leaving it in a garbage can, authorities say.
Thomas Perales, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, domestic violence as a habitual offender, and two counts of violating a protection order, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On Dec. 4, the Westminster Police Department began investigating a “suspicious” death near Willowbrook Park in Westminster, a northern suburb of Denver. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Annette Valdez, and authorities said her death was being treated as a homicide.
Valdez’s body was discovered in a trash can in the park, local outlets reported. Authorities estimate she had been dead for up to six days before being found.
Police arrested Perales on Dec. 5, identifying him as the last person seen with Valdez. He is her ex-boyfriend and the father of her children.
According to authorities, Perales, who was homeless, had been transporting Valdez’s body in a shopping cart before telling a witness he had left her by a creek. Police said Perales admitted to killing Valdez and “parading her around.” The cause of death has not been released.
Valdez’s family said she had endured years of domestic abuse. “We tried so much to get her away from him, and every single time she went right back to him,” her brother, Adam Larson, told CBS affiliate KMVT. “All she could say is, ‘That’s my kid’s father.’”
Larson said the family had suspected Perales was involved in her death. The most recent domestic violence investigation began after Valdez called her mother while watching Perales through a Ring camera. Authorities said he had attempted to break into her apartment, damaging the door and rubbing paint on the camera.
Perales had been released from jail on Nov. 21. Valdez’s family believes her death could have been prevented. “She didn’t have the resources that she needed to feel safe,” said Analisa Larson, Adam Larson’s wife, to Fox affiliate KDVR. “I think they hand you a piece of paper and say, ‘here is a protection order’ … well, what do you do with that when he keeps coming back?”
A GoFundMe page honoring Valdez described her as “a beloved daughter, sister, mother, and friend, taken from us far too soon due to domestic violence.” The fundraiser added, “Our family is devastated beyond words, struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy. Annette was a light in our lives—her kindness, laughter, and love touched everyone who knew her.”
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