Newport Beach Businessman Held on $1.5-Million Bail in Wife's Death

A 48-year-old businessman accused of killing his wife was transferred Sunday from the Newport Beach jail to the Orange County Jail, as police continued to search for his wife's body, police said.

Peter Gregory Chadwick, being held on $1.5-million bail, was moved Sunday morning, Newport Beach police Lt. Evan Sailor reported. Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office, says Peter Chadwick's arraignment has not yet been scheduled. Although police searched for his wife Quee "Q.C." Chadwick, 46, over the weekend her body has not been found.

"We are still searching for Quee Chadwick," Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said early Monday. "We are asking that anyone who may have seen Chadwick's vehicle on Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Thursday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 am to call with information."

According to police, on Wednesday at about 7 p.m., officers responded to the Chadwick's home on Almanzora in Newport Coast to check on the welfare of the couple after they neglected to pick up their children from school. Police say officers found evidence of a struggle and possible foul play.

Yulianna Nikulina, who lives next door to the Chadwicks, said she heard Quee Chadwick screaming about 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m., on either Monday or Tuesday. Nikulina told the Los Angeles Times she thought the scream was an expression of momentary frustration.

About 5:30 a.m., Thursday, Peter Chadwick called San Diego police from the 905 Freeway, near Tijuana, seeking assistance, Lowe said. Police will not say why he needed help, Lowe said. At the time Chadwick was contacted by San Diego police, he was driving a champagne-colored 2003 Lexus SUV. Police are asking anyone who may have seen the SUV to call police.

Newport Beach police, however, took Chadwick into custody for suspicion of murder, Lowe said.

Investigators will not release any specifics on why he was under suspicion, she said.

Investigators were going over Peter Chadwick's movements in the 12 hours
before he contacted San Diego police, Lowe said.

Police asked anyone with information was to call Newport Beach police at (800) 550-NBPD or Detective Bryan Moore at 949-644-3764.

- City News Service contributed to this report.