Placer County, CA – Former Chicago Cubs player Danny Serafini, 49, and alleged accomplice Samantha Scott, 33, were arrested Friday in Nevada, marking the climax of a two-year-long investigation led by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office into a chilling 2021 murder in Homewood, North Lake Tahoe.
According to Placer County Sheriff reports, the victims, Robert Gary Spohr, 70, and his wife Wendy Wood, 68, were brutally attacked in their residence, with Spohr succumbing to a gunshot wound at the scene while Wood, though initially surviving the attack, passed away a year later.
A two year investigation, aided by multiple law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Marshal Service, unveiled surveillance footage of a hooded individual approaching the victims’ residence hours before the crime. This breakthrough, coupled with relentless efforts by detectives and the District Attorney’s Office, eventually spotlighted Serafini and Scott as the alleged prime suspects in the case, leading to their apprehension in Winnemucca and Las Vegas, Nevada respectively.
Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo commended the tireless endeavors of all involved, asserting that justice has now been served.
Serafini played for the Cubs for the majority of the 99’ season. During his career he played for six MLB clubs including the Twins, Padres, Pirates, Reds and Rockies. The case now advances as authorities await the extradition of the accused duo to Placer County for trial.
