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Thomas Perales is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the mother of his children, Annette Marie Valdez

Authorities believe Valdez died between Nov. 28 and Dec. 4, when her body was discovered

Valdez's body was discovered in a trash can

A Colorado man is accused of murdering the mother of his children — then stuffing her body in the garbage.

According to the Colorado 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Thomas Perales is charged with first-degree murder, violation of a protection order/domestic violence, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

The charges stem from the death of 37-year-old mother-of-three Annette Marie Valdez, according to 9News , CBS News and The Denver Post .

Police said Valdez's body was found in a Westminster, Colo., p

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