Newport Beach Police Investigate Body Found in San Diego Dumpster
Newport Beach officials could not confirm late Thursday whether the body found nearly 100 miles out of their jurisdiction was that of missing 46-year-old Quee "Q.C." Chadwick.
The body of woman found in a dumpster in San Diego County may be the missing wife of a Newport Beach real estate investor. Her husband, Peter Chadwick, was arrested in San Diego last week on suspicion of killing her. Officials called the gruesome discovery a lead in the case, but had not yet positively identified the remains. Janet Kwak reports from Newport Beach for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2012.
Newport Beach Police are investigating the case of a body found in a San Diego County dumpster that is possibly connected to the disappearance and homicide of Quee "Q.C." Chadwick, whose husband has been charged with her murder, authorities said.
Newport Beach detectives are working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and San Diego County Medical Examiner to positively identify the remains, according to a press release from Newport Beach police.
By Thursday evening, officials were able to confirm that a woman's body was discovered in a dumpster in the 12000 block of Wildcat Canyon Road, but she had not yet been identified.
Officials responded to the remote area near Lakeside at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the press release.
Inquiries about the incident have been deferred to the Orange County-based law enforcement agency located nearly 100 miles from the scene.
Authorities in Newport Beach have been searching for the 46-year-old Chadwick. They announced on Oct. 12 that her husband was suspected of killing her.
Police were called to the couple’s home on Almanzora on Oct. 10 after a neighbor called authorities concerned that the Chadwicks had not picked up their children from school.
At the home, officers found "evidence of a struggle and possible foul play," according to a press release from the Newport Beach Police Department. A search for the pair began.
The next day, Peter Chadwick was arrested near the Mexico border. Newport Beach authorities took the 48-year-old real estate investor into custody after he called for assistance on the 905 Freeway. It is unclear why he called authorities.
Chadwick pleaded not guilty on Monday to one felony count of special circumstances murder for financial gain. He is being held at the Orange County Jail without bail.
Chadwick claimed a painter he hired to work at his home killed his wife, but prosecutors aren't buying that theory. They contend Chadwick murdered his wife after a fight over a possible divorce and money issues.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole if convicted, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Newport Beach Police Department at (800) 550-NBPD or Detective Bryan Moore at (949) 644-3764.
