On February 27, 2026, former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced to life without parole for the 2021 murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in Placer County. Serafini ambushed his in-laws at their Homewood home, motivated by financial desperation tied to a $1.3 million loan and a $23 million inheritance. While Gary died at the scene, Wendy survived but later died by suicide in 2022 due to trauma from the attack. The trial revealed Serafini’s history of financial mismanagement and animosity toward his in-laws, with the judge condemning him as remorseless and manipulative.

The case deeply affected the Lake Tahoe community and the victims’ family, exposing fractured relationships and ongoing estate disputes. A nanny involved with Serafini pleaded guilty as an accessory, testifying about her role in the crime. Serafini’s fall from a celebrated athlete to convicted murderer underscores a tragic narrative of greed and personal downfall. The district attorney highlighted the lasting harm caused by Serafini’s actions, which shattered not only a family but also the broader community’s sense of safety and trust.