Former Major League Baseball pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday for the brutal 2021 shooting of his in-laws at their Lake Tahoe, California, home.
The 52-year-old former pitcher, who played for six major league teams over a 22-year career, was convicted in July of first-degree murder in the killing of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, 68, and first-degree burglary. He was arrested in 2023 alongside his nanny turned mistress, Samantha Scott, who later pleaded guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
At sentencing, the judge ordered that Serafini’s life terms be served consecutively, and tacked on an additional 25-to-life sentence for the burglary conviction, ensuring he will never be free again.
“He is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” said the victims’ youngest daughter, Adrienne Spohr, in a victim impact statement at the sentencing, according to KCRA.
Prosecutors said the former athlete carefully planned the attack by breaking into his in-laws’ home while they were out boating with family, including his second wife, Erin Spohr. Authorities allege Serafini hid in a closet for about three hours, armed with a .22-caliber handgun. When the elderly couple returned home, he ambushed them, shooting both in the head, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Gary Spohr was killed, and Wood was shot multiple times but initially survived. Erin Spohr denied that Serafini had any involvement in the shooting, which forced Wood to relearn basic functions such as walking, speaking and riding a bike.
Meanwhile, her sister, Adrienne Spohr, said at the sentencing Friday, “He thought he had gotten away with murder. He thought that he’d be cashing out my parents’ estate with his wife in the months afterwards. He was happy while my dad lay deceased and my mom laid bleeding out on her couch, clinging to life. Dan destroyed my sense of safety, my health and my family.”
Wood died by suicide in February 2023 after struggling to adjust to life following her husband’s death, her family claimed.
Erin Spohr did not attend her ex’s sentencing, but through a statement urged the judge to show leniency.
Serafini addressed the court Friday, defiantly rejecting the charges and insisting he had been wronged by the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he said, according to KCRA.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer,” Serafini continued.
Serafini’s baseball career spanned more than a decade after he was selected as the No. 26 overall pick by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. He made his major league debut four years later and went on to play for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs before his career ended with the Colorado Rockies in 2007. His final season was overshadowed by a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
After retiring, Serafini opened a bar in Nevada in 2013 that later appeared on an episode of the Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue. During the episode, Serafini told host John Taffer that he had lost about $14 million due to a combination of poor investments and the financial fallout from a divorce settlement.
In July 2025, Erin Spohr filed for divorce from Serafini, requesting sole custody of their two young sons, ages 7 and 4, but is not seeking child support or alimony at this time. Despite the circumstances, Erin Spohr described her relationship with Serafini as “amicable” in the divorce complaint obtained by People.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
