Latest news with #MarkSanfratello
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Man extradited to Oregon to face murder charge in girlfriend's 1983 death
A man charged with murder in the 1983 death of his then-girlfriend has been extradited to Oregon and made his first appearance in court this week. Teresa Peroni, 27, was reported missing shortly after attending a party in Selma, Oregon, on July 4, 1983, CBS News previously reported. Witnesses said Peroni was last seen walking into the woods with her 29-year-old boyfriend Mark Sanfratello. The pair fought during the party, according to Peroni's profile on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Peroni's family reported her disappearance, but there was not enough evidence to file charges, according to authorities. In 1997, a skull was discovered near where Peroni was last seen, but no other remains were discovered. In 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office reopened the case of Peroni's disappearance. The Oregon Department of Justice said in a news release Wednesday that investigators re-interviewed witnesses, collected new DNA evidence, and used modern forensic testing to obtain new evidence. Investigators were able to determine that the skull found in 1994 was Peroni's. A grand jury indicted Sanfratello, now 72, on a charge of second-degree murder on June 27. Sanfratello was arrested in Chico, California, on June 28. He had his first court appearance in Oregon on Wednesday, when he was arraigned in Josephine County Circuit Court, the Oregon Department of Justice said. The case will be prosecuted by the Oregon Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the case highlights the importance of using new technology to solve cold cases. "What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief," said Rayfield said Wednesday in a news release. "While the legal process is now underway and it's important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that's possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It's a powerful reminder that time doesn't erase the need for answers." Anyone with information about the party Peroni was last seen at has been asked to contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man arraigned on murder charge in Oregon for death of his then-girlfriend in 1980s cold case
Oregon Cold Case GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A man who is suspected in the disappearance of his then-girlfriend in the 1980s and was recently extradited from California to Oregon has been arraigned on a murder charge stemming from the cold case. Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arraigned Wednesday in Josephine County Circuit Court in southern Oregon after a grand jury indicted him for second-degree murder in the death of Teresa Peroni, the Oregon attorney general's office said in a statement. Sanfratello is being held without bail, according to online court records. His defense attorney, Elizabeth Baker, said he is 'claiming all the rights afforded him under the law.' Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges. In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property, which was then searched with the use of a cadaver dog, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The skull was sent to the University of North Texas for examination. The sheriff's office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni's. Sanfratello was taken into custody last month in Chico, California. Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who attended the party. 'What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. 'While the legal process is now underway and it's important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that's possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It's a powerful reminder that time doesn't erase the need for answers.' It is the second recent Oregon cold case that has been linked to someone in California. State police said in May that a man who was found dead along Interstate 5 in Oregon had been identified after nearly 45 years and that notorious California serial killer Randy Kraft was the only person under investigation for the 1980 killing.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Man arraigned on murder charge in Oregon for death of his then-girlfriend in 1980s cold case
This undated photo released by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System shows Teresa Peroni before her disappearance in 1983. (NamUs via AP) Warning: The following story may contain graphic details. GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A man who is suspected in the disappearance of his then-girlfriend in the 1980s and was recently extradited from California to Oregon has been arraigned on a murder charge stemming from the cold case. Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arraigned Wednesday in Josephine County Circuit Court in southern Oregon after a grand jury indicted him for second-degree murder in the death of Teresa Peroni, the Oregon attorney general's office said in a statement. Sanfratello is being held without bail, according to online court records. His defence attorney, Elizabeth Baker, said he is 'claiming all the rights afforded him under the law.' Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges. In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property, which was then searched with the use of a cadaver dog, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The skull was sent to the University of North Texas for examination. The sheriff's office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni's. Sanfratello was taken into custody last month in Chico, California. Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who attended the party. 'What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. 'While the legal process is now underway and it's important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that's possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It's a powerful reminder that time doesn't erase the need for answers.' It is the second recent Oregon cold case that has been linked to someone in California. State police said in May that a man who was found dead along Interstate 5 in Oregon had been identified after nearly 45 years and that notorious California serial killer Randy Kraft was the only person under investigation for the 1980 killing.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Man arraigned on murder charge in Oregon for death of his then-girlfriend in 1980s cold case
A man who is suspected in the disappearance of his then-girlfriend in the 1980s and was recently extradited from California to Oregon has been arraigned on a murder charge stemming from the cold case. Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arraigned Wednesday in Josephine County Circuit Court in southern Oregon after a grand jury indicted him for second-degree murder in the death of Teresa Peroni, the Oregon attorney general's office said in a statement. Sanfratello is being held without bail, according to online court records. His defense attorney, Elizabeth Baker, said he is 'claiming all the rights afforded him under the law.' Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges. In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property, which was then searched with the use of a cadaver dog, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The skull was sent to the University of North Texas for examination. The sheriff's office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni's. Sanfratello was taken into custody last month in Chico, California. Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who attended the party. 'What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. 'While the legal process is now underway and it's important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that's possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It's a powerful reminder that time doesn't erase the need for answers.' It is the second recent Oregon cold case that has been linked to someone in California. State police said in May that a man who was found dead along Interstate 5 in Oregon had been identified after nearly 45 years and that notorious California serial killer Randy Kraft was the only person under investigation for the 1980 killing.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Associated Press
Man arraigned on murder charge in Oregon for death of his then-girlfriend in 1980s cold case
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A man who is suspected in the disappearance of his then-girlfriend in the 1980s and was recently extradited from California to Oregon has been arraigned on a murder charge stemming from the cold case. Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arraigned Wednesday in Josephine County Circuit Court in southern Oregon after a grand jury indicted him for second-degree murder in the death of Teresa Peroni, the Oregon attorney general's office said in a statement. Sanfratello is being held without bail, according to online court records. His defense attorney, Elizabeth Baker, said he is 'claiming all the rights afforded him under the law.' Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges. In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property, which was then searched with the use of a cadaver dog, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The skull was sent to the University of North Texas for examination. The sheriff's office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni's. Sanfratello was taken into custody last month in Chico, California. Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who attended the party. 'What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. 'While the legal process is now underway and it's important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that's possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It's a powerful reminder that time doesn't erase the need for answers.' It is the second recent Oregon cold case that has been linked to someone in California. State police said in May that a man who was found dead along Interstate 5 in Oregon had been identified after nearly 45 years and that notorious California serial killer Randy Kraft was the only person under investigation for the 1980 killing.
