Former MLB Pitcher Daniel Serafini is a killer from California who would murder his father in law and attempted to murder his mother in law
According to court documents Daniel Serafini would murder Gary Spohr and attempted to murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood during a burglary at the couples home in Lake Tahoe California. Wendy Wood would die a year after the shooting
Apparently Daniel Serafini hated his wife’s parents and texts would show him saying he would give someone $20,000 to kill them
Daniel Serafini still continues to deny that he had anything to do with the fatal shooting saying he was out partying with his wife when his in-laws were shot.
Daniel Serafini lawyers would put forth a defense saying that there was no evidence tying their client to the fatal shooting and burglary
Regardless at the end of the day Daniel Serafini would be convicted of murder, attempted murder and burglary and would be sentenced to life in prison without parole
Daniel Serafini Case
Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home by Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr; attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood; and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed, and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement Friday that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly impacted family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. Dratman told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have a motive to kill them.
After his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder – ESPN
