A newly released affidavit in the killing of a Westminster mother describes a disturbing sequence of events in the days before police found her body and raises new questions about why the man now accused in her death was released from jail just one week before she disappeared.

Annette Marie Valdez, a 37-year-old mother of three, was last seen on Nov. 28 after relatives said she had never returned home after Thanksgiving. According to court documents, police found her body on Dec. 4 in a trash can near Willowbrook Park.

The following day, officers arrested her former partner, Thomas Perales, on suspicion of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and violating a protection order.

The 17th Judicial District Attorney charged Perales, 38, on Wednesday with first-degree murder, tampering with a body, habitual domestic violence and violation of a protection order, according to a news release.

According to the affidavit, Perales carried around her body for days. Multiple witnesses told police they believed Perales had been moving through the area with a body wrapped in blankets.

Denver Gazette Reporter Michael Braithwaite contributed to this report.

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