Former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Danny Serafini has been arrested in connection with the murder of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law. The incident took place in Lake Tahoe, California, in 2021, and the arrests were made after an extensive investigation by the authorities.
On June 5, 2021, authorities were called to a residence in Homewood, a neighborhood in North Lake Tahoe, following reports of a shooting. The victims were identified as Robert Gary Spohr, 70, and Wendy Wood, 68, who were Danny Serafini’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, respectively. Tragically, Spohr succumbed to a single gunshot wound, while Wood survived the attack but passed away a year later.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office took charge of the investigation, and over the course of more than two years, their detectives gathered evidence that eventually led to the arrest of Danny Serafini and Samantha Scott. The suspects, who were known to each other, were apprehended in different locations.
Serafini was arrested in Winnemucca, Nevada, while Scott was apprehended at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Both individuals are currently in custody, awaiting extradition.
Before his arrest, Danny Serafini enjoyed a career as a professional baseball player. Over the span of seven seasons, Serafini played for several MLB teams, including the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Colorado Rockies.
During the investigation, detectives obtained security video footage from the residence where the incident took place. The footage captured a hooded male, wearing a face covering and carrying a backpack, approaching the residence hours before the slaying. This crucial piece of evidence played a significant role in identifying the person of interest.
Sheriff Wayne Woo commended his team of detectives for their dedication and persistence throughout the investigation. In a statement, he expressed his satisfaction with the arrests and emphasized that justice has been served. Woo also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of law enforcement partners in bringing the suspects to justice.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is currently coordinating with the relevant authorities for the extradition of Danny Serafini and Samantha Scott. Once extradited, they will face charges related to the murder of Robert Gary Spohr and the attempted murder of Wendy Wood.
