A Florida man who was the suspect in a cold murder case has been arrested after evading cops for nearly 40 years.
Donald Santini, 65, who had been on the run from the police for 39 years, was finally apprehended in California while serving as the president of a local water board.
Santini disappeared in 1984 after being named the prime suspect in the murder of Cynthia Ruth Wood, whose body was found in a canal.
Despite being featured on "America's Most Wanted" three times, Santini managed to evade capture by using various aliases and frequently changing locations.
He was eventually tracked down to a rural community near San Diego, where he served as the president of the water authority under the name Wellman Simmonds.
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Santini was well-regarded in the community and even spoke to the media about a fatal crash in 2018.
He was on the run for nearly 40 years - since 1984 (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
Donald Santini, using aliases, served as a water board president while on the run (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)Santini had previously served time for a 1978 rape while in the military and was also wanted for robbery in Texas.
He was finally arrested on June 7 and extradited to Florida and now faces first-degree murder charges for Miss Wood's murder.
Who was Cynthia Ruth Wood?
Born on February 13, 1951, Cynthia Ruth Wood was a woman whose life was cut short at the age of 33.
Her body was discovered submerged in a water-filled drainage ditch on Alsobrook Drive, off Riverview Drive in Florida on Saturday, June 9, 1984.
Santini faces first-degree murder charges for the brutal strangulation of Cynthia Ruth Wood (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
He was well-regarded in the community and even spoke to local media outlets (United States Marshalls)An autopsy report determined that Cynthia had been strangled to death.
Prior to the discovery of her body, Cynthia had been missing for approximately five days - she was last seen leaving her home.
The Sherriff's Office knew that she was last seen in the company of a man named Donald Santini, who was considered a prime suspect in her murder.
"The suspect has not been seen since this incident and may be in the state of Texas using an unknown identity," the Sherriff's Office wrote in the case record, adding that, "A 1st-degree murder warrant has been issued for Donald Santini for the murder of Cynthia Wood."
Jailed after four decades
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said that Santini arrived at the Orient Road Jail after being arrested and extradited from San Diego, CA on June 28.
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In a statement, they said: "Santini was wanted for the 1984 murder of Cynthia Wood, a then 33-year-old going through a divorce with her husband.
"Many other agencies, including the FBI, have exhaustively worked on this case over the years."
Sheriff Chad Chronister commented: "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
"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."
Santini's letter from behind bars
In a letter written to ABC10 from inside jail as he awaits trial, Santini claimed that even his wife of over 30 years was unaware of his true identity.
He said: "Things are not as they seem. I need a lawyer that doesn’t try to push me through the system to keep me quiet. The problem is I have no money."
He stated that he had been able to evade capture for so long by living a "loving and respectful life."
Santini admitted to committing rape in 1978, but he did not address the murder of Cynthia Ruth Wood.
He expressed frustration with his public defender in San Diego, who had advised him to remain silent in court.
Santini asserted that he needed a lawyer who would not try to push him through the legal system and keep him quiet, but he lacked the financial means to hire one.
He mentioned his involvement in the community, including volunteering with the Rotary Club, owning a Thai restaurant, and managing an apartment block in Campo, California.
Santini's letter did not explain how he had acquired the alias "Wellman Simmonds," but it was noted that he had multiple aliases listed on his 1984 arrest warrant.
He referenced his difficult childhood, claiming to have been abused and had to kill animals.
Local community in shock
The local community in Campo, San Diego County where Santini was finally arrested was both shocked and surprised when they learned about his true identity as a wanted fugitive.
Apparently, Santini held a prominent position as the president of the Lake Morena Views Mutual Water Company, making him well-known and respected within the community.
Some residents regarded him as a pillar of the community, noting his advocacy and non-confrontational nature.
Many residents, like Rick Fox, who bought property next to Santini, expressed disbelief upon learning about his true identity.
“It really was one of the most shocking things I’ve ever heard in my life,” Fox told ABC10, and described Santini, whom he met as 'Wells', as a friendly neighbour.
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