Oregon Man Gets 20 Years After Plea In 1983 Girlfriend Killing Cold Case
A 73-year-old Oregon man was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty in the 1983 killing of his then-girlfriend. Mark Sanfratello pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon. Prosecutors said his then-girlfriend, 27-year-old Teresa Peroni, was last seen walking with him into the woods after a house party in Selma, Oregon, in July 1983. Peroni's skull was found on private property in 1997, and no other remains have been recovered despite later searches.
Investigators reopened the cold case in 2024, reinterviewed witnesses and collected new DNA evidence, using modern forensic techniques to build their case. Sanfratello was arrested in July 2025 in Chico, California, extradited to Oregon, and indicted before agreeing to the plea deal. Under the agreement he received a 20-year sentence with a minimum of 10 years to serve and will be eligible for conditional release after serving half the term under Oregon rules. Courts said the plea admitted causing Peroni's death by criminal negligence rather than intentional murder, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield noted the 43-year wait for answers underscores why officials should not give up on cold cases; the victim's sister described the long wait and the toll the loss took on the family.
Earlier reporting emphasized the case's reopening and the sentencing without full forensic or legal detail. More recent accounts named the defendant and victim, described DNA and other forensic work that led to the arrest, and clarified that the plea was to manslaughter for criminal negligence. Fox News reported many of the investigation details and identities, while the New York Times added courtroom context and explained release eligibility.
đ Key Facts
- The defendant was identified as 73-year-old Mark Sanfratello.
- The victim was 27-year-old Teresa Peroni, last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello after a house party in Selma, Oregon, in July 1983.
- Peroni's skull was recovered on nearby private property in 1997; no other remains have ever been recovered despite searches.
- Investigators reopened the case in 2024, reinterviewed witnesses, collected new DNA evidence and used modern forensic techniques to build the case.
- Sanfratello was arrested in July 2025 in Chico, California, extradited to Oregon and indicted on first-degree manslaughter before pleading guilty.
- He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, with officials saying Peroni's death was caused by "criminal negligence" rather than an intentional murder.
- Under a plea agreement he was sentenced to 20 years with a minimum of 10 years to serve; the sentencing took place in Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon.
- Under Oregon rules he will be eligible for conditional release after serving at least half of the 20-year term.
- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Peroni's sister commented on the case, noting the 43-year wait for answers and the lasting impact of the loss.
đ° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms sentencing took place in Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon.
- Adds detail that the plea was to first-degree manslaughter for causing Peroni's death by "criminal negligence" rather than intentional murder.
- Provides direct quote from the victim's sister describing the impact of the loss and the long wait for justice.
- Clarifies that no remains other than Peroni's skull have ever been recovered despite searches.
- Notes that Sanfratello will be eligible for conditional release after serving at least half of the 20-year term under Oregon rules.
- Identifies the defendant as 73-year-old Mark Sanfratello by full name.
- Names the victim as 27-year-old Teresa Peroni and notes she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello after a house party in Selma, Oregon, in July 1983.
- Specifies that Peroni's skull was found on nearby private property in 1997, with no additional remains recovered.
- Details that investigators reopened the case in 2024, reinterviewed witnesses, collected new DNA evidence, and used modern forensic techniques to build the case.
- Reports that Sanfratello was arrested in July 2025 in Chico, California, then extradited to Oregon and indicted on first-degree manslaughter before pleading guilty.
- Clarifies that he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and received a 20-year sentence with a minimum of 10 years to serve under a plea agreement.
- Includes a quote from Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield about the 43-year wait for answers and the importance of not giving up on cold cases.