WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The death of a 37-year-old mother whose body was discovered in a trash can near a Westminster park has sent shockwaves through the community and renewed urgent questions about domestic violence, court protections, and offender supervision. Authorities say Annette Marie Valdez was killed just days after her former partner was released from jail, despite a history of abuse and active protection orders meant to keep her safe.
According to police, Valdez was reported missing late last month. On Dec. 4, investigators located her body inside a trash can near Willowbrook Park. The discovery marked a grim end to days of uncertainty for her family, who had long feared for her safety.
“It’s hard to even process the details,” said Adam Larson, Valdez’s brother. “We tried so hard to protect her for years.” His wife, Analisa Larson, said the cycle of abuse left deep scars. “I don’t know if a lot of people understand that it changes your brain,” she said. “She would let him back.”
A newly released arrest affidavit paints a disturbing picture of what investigators believe occurred. Authorities allege that Valdez’s former partner, 42-year-old Thomas Perales, carried her body with him for days after her death. According to the document, Perales told a witness that he had left Valdez by a creek. Family members say police also told them he was seen pushing her body in a shopping cart as he moved from place to place.
“They even said he was pushing her around in a shopping cart,” Larson said. “When we heard that, it was just unbearable.”
Perales was arrested on Dec. 5, one day after Valdez’s body was found. He was initially taken into custody on suspicion of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and violation of a protection order. Investigators say Perales admitted to killing Valdez and described “parading her around,” according to the arrest report.
“I had a feeling it was him,” Larson said. “Given everything she’d been through, it was the first thing that crossed my mind.”
Court records show a troubling history between Perales and Valdez, including repeated domestic violence incidents and multiple violations of protection orders. In one of the most recent cases, police say Valdez contacted her mother in fear after seeing Perales outside her apartment through a Ring doorbell camera. Officers reported that Perales allegedly attempted to break into the apartment, damaged the door, and smeared paint on the camera, all while Valdez’s three young daughters were asleep inside.
Despite the allegations, Perales was sentenced to probation and released from jail on Nov. 21. Just one week later, Valdez was reported missing. Police say she was last seen with Perales.
“We tried everything to get her away from him,” Larson said. “Every time, she went back. All she could say was, ‘That’s my kids’ father.’”
Valdez leaves behind three daughters, now facing the unimaginable loss of their mother during the holiday season. “It’s almost Christmas,” Analisa Larson said. “We don’t even know what to say to them right now.”
On Wednesday, the Adams County District Attorney’s Office announced upgraded charges against Perales, including first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, domestic violence, and violation of a protection order. He remains in custody as the case moves forward.
As the investigation continues, Valdez’s family hopes her story will spark deeper conversations about domestic violence and the gaps that can leave victims vulnerable, even when the system is aware of the danger. “She deserved to be safe,” Larson said. “And her kids deserved to have their mom.”