Donald Santini.Photo:County Sheriffâs OfficeA man who has been on the run for almost four decades and was featured three times onAmerica’s Most Wantedhas been arrested.Donald Santini, 65, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 1984 murder of 33-year-old Cynthia Wood and sent to Orient Road Jail on Wednesday morning, according to a statement from theHillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.Santini used 13 different aliases to evade capture,USA Todayreports, citing an arrest warrant.USMS San DiegoFound in San Diego, Santini was working as the president of a water board in Campo,NBC 15reports. Hiding in plain sight, he also frequently appeared at public board meetings, according to the outlet.Wood was from Florida and was going through a divorce with her husband at the time of her murder,Fox Newsreports. Wood’s body was found strangled and left in a canal, and authorities learned that Santini was the last person believed to be with her. He has been the main suspect in her murder for just under 40 years.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Santini appeared three times on the television showAmerica’s Most Wanted —in 1990, 2005, and 2013. The search for Santini led officials to regions as far as Thailand, the sheriff’s office said in its statement. Santini also previously spent time in prison for raping a woman, the office added.“The arrest of Donald Santini brings closure to a long-standing cold case and provides justice for the victim and her family after nearly four decades of waiting," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in astatement. “Let’s not forget the tireless work that has gone into this case over the years, the resources, and expertise to pursue justice for Cynthia Wood.”
Donald Santini.Photo:County Sheriffâs Office
County Sheriffâs Office
A man who has been on the run for almost four decades and was featured three times onAmerica’s Most Wantedhas been arrested.Donald Santini, 65, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 1984 murder of 33-year-old Cynthia Wood and sent to Orient Road Jail on Wednesday morning, according to a statement from theHillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.Santini used 13 different aliases to evade capture,USA Todayreports, citing an arrest warrant.USMS San DiegoFound in San Diego, Santini was working as the president of a water board in Campo,NBC 15reports. Hiding in plain sight, he also frequently appeared at public board meetings, according to the outlet.Wood was from Florida and was going through a divorce with her husband at the time of her murder,Fox Newsreports. Wood’s body was found strangled and left in a canal, and authorities learned that Santini was the last person believed to be with her. He has been the main suspect in her murder for just under 40 years.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Santini appeared three times on the television showAmerica’s Most Wanted —in 1990, 2005, and 2013. The search for Santini led officials to regions as far as Thailand, the sheriff’s office said in its statement. Santini also previously spent time in prison for raping a woman, the office added.“The arrest of Donald Santini brings closure to a long-standing cold case and provides justice for the victim and her family after nearly four decades of waiting," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in astatement. “Let’s not forget the tireless work that has gone into this case over the years, the resources, and expertise to pursue justice for Cynthia Wood.”
A man who has been on the run for almost four decades and was featured three times onAmerica’s Most Wantedhas been arrested.
Donald Santini, 65, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 1984 murder of 33-year-old Cynthia Wood and sent to Orient Road Jail on Wednesday morning, according to a statement from theHillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Santini used 13 different aliases to evade capture,USA Todayreports, citing an arrest warrant.
USMS San Diego
Found in San Diego, Santini was working as the president of a water board in Campo,NBC 15reports. Hiding in plain sight, he also frequently appeared at public board meetings, according to the outlet.
Wood was from Florida and was going through a divorce with her husband at the time of her murder,Fox Newsreports. Wood’s body was found strangled and left in a canal, and authorities learned that Santini was the last person believed to be with her. He has been the main suspect in her murder for just under 40 years.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Santini appeared three times on the television showAmerica’s Most Wanted —in 1990, 2005, and 2013. The search for Santini led officials to regions as far as Thailand, the sheriff’s office said in its statement. Santini also previously spent time in prison for raping a woman, the office added.
“The arrest of Donald Santini brings closure to a long-standing cold case and provides justice for the victim and her family after nearly four decades of waiting," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in astatement. “Let’s not forget the tireless work that has gone into this case over the years, the resources, and expertise to pursue justice for Cynthia Wood.”
source: people.com
