Cold Case Murder Arrest in Oregon

A man recently transferred from California to Oregon has been arrested on murder charges related to a cold case dating back to the 1980s. He is suspected of killing his then-girlfriend, Teresa Peroni.

Mark Sanfratello, 72, was taken into custody Wednesday in Josephine County Circuit Court. He faces second-degree murder charges for Peroni’s death, as confirmed by the Oregon Attorney General’s Office.

According to online court records, Sanfratello is currently held without bail.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Baker mentioned that he is choosing to “submit all rights granted to him under the law.”

Peroni disappeared in 1983 at the age of 27 after attending a gathering near Selma, a small town. It’s noted that she was last seen walking through the woods with Sanfratello. Although authorities investigated the case back then, they lacked sufficient evidence to pursue charges.

In 1997, a human skull was discovered not far from where she went missing. This skull was later sent to the University of North Texas for analysis.

The Sheriff’s Office reopened the case in 2024, utilizing new DNA evidence and advanced forensic methods. Through this new evidence, experts confirmed that the skull belonged to Peroni.

Sanfratello was arrested in Chico, California last month.

Investigators are still looking for anyone who attended that party to gather more information.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield expressed that the family has experienced decades of uncertainty about Teresa Peroni’s fate. He remarked, “While legal proceedings are currently underway and it’s crucial not to interfere with the outcome, this arrest showcases the progress law enforcement can make with new tools.”

This is not the only cold case recently connected to someone from California. Back in May, state police identified a man found dead along Interstate 5 in Oregon, linked to the notorious serial killer, Randycraft, who was involved in a murder from 1980.