TAMPA, Fla. (TCD) — A 65-year-old man who lived in California under an alias and had previously been featured on “America’s Most Wanted” pleaded guilty this week to killing a woman 40 years ago.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announced Donald Santini was sentenced to 50 years in prison with 15 years of probation after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Cynthia Wood.
Court records show Santini’s trial was scheduled to begin Nov. 28. He was initially charged with second-degree murder and kidnapping, which could have landed him in prison with a life sentence.
Santini lived in California and Texas under the alias Wellman Simmonds. He eluded authorities for years but was caught when he reportedly applied for a passport and officials took his fingerprints. The state attorney’s office said the prints were a match for Wood’s missing killer.
The U.S. Marshals tweeted on June 12 that they apprehended Santini in San Diego.
Hillsborough County Jail records listed his other aliases, which included Joseph Brewster, Steve Buice, Charles Stevens, and John Trimble, among others.
According to the original affidavit, Wood was last seen alive June 5, 1984, and her body was found four days later. Santini allegedly admitted to someone on June 6, 1984, that he fatally strangled Wood. Her body was found June 9, 1984.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Wood was last seen alive with Santini. Then, her body was discovered in a “water-filled ditch.”
KGTV-TV reports Santini was an active member of the San Diego community when he lived under the name Wellman Simmonds and reportedly served on local leadership boards.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in the statement, “No family should have to spend decades waiting for justice to be served in the cruel murder of their loved one. This defendant not only stole an innocent life, but he also left a family without their mother, and without answer.”
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