Ex-MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini gets life sentence for fatal in-law attack

Darrell Smith, The Sacramento Bee on Feb 27, 2026

Published in Baseball

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Daniel Serafini, the ex-MLB pitcher convicted of shooting his in-laws in a 2021 murder-burglary at their Homewood, Calif., residence near Lake Tahoe, was committed to life without parole after his sentencing Friday in Placer Superior Court.

Jurors in July convicted Daniel Serafini, 51, of first-degree murder in the death of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, and found the former pitcher guilty of attempted murder in the shootings that severely wounded his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, 68. Serafini faced the possibility of life in state prison.

Serafini reportedly hated his wife’s wealthy parents, Placer prosecutors said, telling friends that he would offer $20,000 to whoever would carry out their killings.

Ultimately, Serafini took the task in his own hands.

Spohr died from a single shot to the head from Serafini during the June 5, 2021, burglary at the home on Lake Tahoe’s west shore. Wood survived the shooting, but needed extensive rehabilitation in its aftermath and died a year later.