(Trends Wide) — A Florida man who was on the run for nearly four decades for a 1984 Murder has been arrested in California and extradited back to Florida, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Authorities were looking for Donald Santini for the murder of Cynthia Wood. Santini was the last person seen with Wood before her body was discovered strangled and dumped in a canal. That’s when he was identified as a suspect and he immediately fled the county, according to the statement.
Donald Santini
Earlier this month, Santini was found in San Diego after evading capture for 39 years, the statement added.
“Donald Santini’s arrest brings to an end a long-standing cold case and brings justice to the victim and his family after nearly four decades of waiting,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the statement. “Let’s not forget the tireless work that has gone into this case over the years, the resources and the experience to seek justice for Cynthia Wood.”
Santini, who appeared multiple times on “America’s Most Wanted” over the years, was charged with first-degree murder.
He is currently back in the custody of Hillsborough County. It is unknown if he has a lawyer.
