LAKE TAHOE, CA – Former Major League Baseball pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday for the 2021 murder of his father-in-law and attempted murder of his mother-in-law at their Lake Tahoe home.
The 52-year-old Serafini, who played for six MLB teams during his career, was convicted in July of first-degree murder in the killing of Gary Spohr, 70, attempted murder of Wendy Wood, 68, and first-degree burglary. The judge ordered consecutive life terms plus an additional 25-to-life sentence for burglary.
Prosecutors said Serafini 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 alleged he hid in a closet for approximately three hours, armed with a .22-caliber handgun, before ambushing the elderly couple when they returned home.
“He is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” said victim Adrienne Spohr, the couple’s youngest daughter, in her victim impact statement, according to KCRA.
According to the Los Angeles Times, both victims were shot in the head. Gary Spohr died from his injuries, while Wood initially survived multiple gunshot wounds but was forced to relearn basic functions including walking and speaking. Wood died by suicide in February 2023 after struggling to adjust to life following her husband’s death, according to her family.
Serafini was arrested in 2023 alongside Samantha Scott, described as his nanny turned mistress, who pleaded guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
At Friday’s sentencing, Serafini maintained his innocence, telling the court he was “no murderer” and claiming he had been wronged by the justice system, according to KCRA. “I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer,” he said.
Serafini’s baseball career began after being selected as the 26th overall pick by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. He made his major league debut in 1996 and played for several teams including the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Colorado Rockies before retiring in 2007. His final season included a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
After retirement, Serafini opened a Nevada bar in 2013 that was featured on Paramount Network’s “Bar Rescue.” During the episode, he told host John Taffer he had lost approximately $14 million due to poor investments and divorce settlement costs.
Erin Spohr, who had testified in her husband’s defense during the trial, filed for divorce one week after his conviction in July 2025. She is seeking sole custody of their two sons, ages 7 and 4, but is not requesting child support or alimony, according to court documents obtained by People.
