Ex-MLB star Danny Serafini found guilty of 2021 attack on his father-in-law

Former Major League Baseball relief pitcher Danny Serafini was convicted of murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr. He was also convicted of attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood. The 51-year-old Serafini, who rose to fame when he played for the Minnesota Twins from 1996 to 1998, was found guilty on both charges by a jury of the Placer County Sheriff on July 14, 2025.

A news release was shared on Facebook by the Placer County District Attorney's office that stated:

"The jury also found the defendant guilty of first-degree burglary and found the special circumstance allegations of lying-in-wait and felony murder, as well as related firearm allegations, to be true."

According to People, Danny Serafini, who is married to Erin Spohr, with whom he shares two kids, was apprehended in October 2023 after a two-year-long investigation into the murder of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law in June 2021. As per an earlier Facebook post shared by the Placer County Sheriff's Office, Gary Spohr, whose body was found in his North Lake Tahoe residence, was shot dead.

On the other hand, Gary's wife, Wendy, who managed to survive the ordeal, was severely injured and was taken to the hospital. Danny Serafini's mother-in-law eventually recovered from the injuries but, unfortunately, committed suicide in 2023, according to ABC News.

The news release shared by the Placer County District Attorney's office also stated:

"In 2021, first responders received a call from a home in Tahoe City, where they found Gary Spohr deceased and Wendy Wood gravely injured from gunshot wounds. During the investigation, detectives determined that Serafini was responsible for the horrific attack on his in-laws."

It further stated:

"After an extensive investigation by the Placer County Sheriff's Office and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, Serafini was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, first-degree burglary, and other charges and allegations. The guilty verdicts come after a 6-week trial during which the jury heard testimony from dozens of witnesses and the presentation of physical evidence, including digital, cell phone, and other forensic evidence."

Danny Serafini's attack on his in-laws was allegedly financially motivated

According to ABC News, prosecutors claimed that Danny Serafini's attack on Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood was alleged to be financially motivated. The outlet also stated that Serafini's two kids, who are 3 and 8 months old, were reportedly at his in-laws' house when the attacks took place.

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As per CBS News, Erin Spohr, who happens to be Gary and Wendy's daughter, while testifying in the trial, claimed that she continues to trust Danny. Erin also mentioned that she and the former MLB star were in an open marriage.

According to People, Danny, who played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18, 2025, confirmed by the Placer County District Attorney's Office on their Facebook page.

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