Former MLB Player Danny Serafini Arrested in Connection to Murder

Danny Serafini, a former MLB pitcher who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Twins, was one of two people arrested on Friday in Nevada in connection to an attack that left a man dead and his wife in critical condition, according to ESPN. The attack happened in the Lake Tahoe area in 2021, and Serafini, 49, was arrested along with Samantha Scott, 33. Authorities said Serafini and Scott knew each other and the victims, Robert Gary Spohr and his wife, Wendy Wood. Spohr was killed, and Wood survived the shooting at their home in an unincorporated community in California. Spohr was 70 years old.

"Today, justice was served," Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said in a statement. "The apprehension of those responsible for the tragic events that unfolded in Homewood, North Lake Tahoe in 2021 stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our detectives, law enforcement partners, and the persistence of our pursuit of truth."  

According to CBS News, Serafini is the son-in-law of the victims. Video surveillance from the Spohr and Wood home shows a man wearing a hoodie, face covering and backpack approaching the home hours before the attack, according to police. Another video shows the same man walking up the driveway. When police arrived at the home after responding to a 911 call, they discovered Spohr was shot once and Wood was shot at least twice. Wood recovered from the injuries but died a year later. Serafini and Scott will be extradited to Californa. 

Serafini was selected No. 26 overall in the 1992 MLB Draft by the Twins. He played for Minnesota for three seasons before spending time with the Chicago Cubs, San Deigo Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. In his career, Serafini posted a 15-16 record with a 6.04 ERA in 104 games. 

In 2015, Serafini appeared in the Paramount Network series Bar Rescue. He owned a bar called The Bullpen, and Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer was brought in to transform the bar into a success. According to Bar Rescue (per ABC 10), Serafini lost $14 million due to a bad investment and a divorce settlement. At the time, Serafni said he was $300,000 in debt.