Former MLB player Dan Serafini has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting his in-laws.
On Friday, February 27, a judge sentenced Serafini, 52, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his father-in-law Gary Spohr and the attempted murder of mother-in-law Wendy Wood.
Serafini’s sentencing comes seven months after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and first-degree burglary. The baseball player was initially scheduled to be sentenced in August 2025 but it was postponed. Earlier this month, Serafini attempted to seek a new trial but the request was denied on Friday.
Serafini’s estranged wife, Erin Sphor, submitted a statement of support for the baseball player on Friday. In the letter, that was read by Searfini’s attorney, Erin asked the judge for leniency in his sentencing.
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In 2021, police responded to a call at a Tahoe City, California home, where Gary was found dead and Wood suffered from severe gunshot wound injuries. It was later revealed that Wood called 911 after being shot by a masked intruder. During their investigation, detectives claimed that Serafini was responsible for the alleged crimes. The athlete was arrested in October 2023. He pleaded not guilty.
Serafini, who wed Erin in 2010, was allegedly having an affair with Samantha Scott who was a family friend. Scott was also arrested and charged in the murder of Gary and attempted murder of Wood. (Erin later testified that she and Serafini maintained an open relationship since the day they began dating.)
Scott made a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a lesser accessory charge in exchange for testifying against Serafini in court. She pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in February 2025. Scott was released until sentencing and faces up to three years in prison.
Amid the trial, Erin remained by Serafini’s side. Erin has denied involvement in the incident and testified at the trial that the individual in the surveillance video didn’t look like the man she “laid next to for 13 years,” per People.
While Wood survived the attack, she suffered brain damage as a result of the shooting. In 2023, Erin’s sister, Adrienne Sphor, revealed that her mother died by suicide at an assisted-living facility.
“The heartbreak of losing my dad — and knowing who was responsible [for his death] — became too much,” Adrienne said in an August 2025 interview with People. “She said it felt like she had lost her right arm.”
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Adrienne also spoke out about how she hopes her mom and dad are remembered.
“My parents were forces of nature. They were strong, adventurous, generous and they loved deeply,” Adrienne reflected. “That’s how I want people to remember them — not as victims but as the incredible people they were.”
People reported in August 2025 that Erin filed for divorce from Serafini following his conviction.
Serafini was best known for being a relief pitcher in the MLB. He played from 1996 to 2007 and was on several teams including the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
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