Murder Suspect Hid in Plain Sight for 40 Years: Prosecutors

Prosecutors say Donald Santini is a wanted contract killer who hid in plain sight for 40 years. Santini is accused of strangling Cynthia Wood in 1984. Santini allegedly lured her to a meeting with a promise to help her in a custody battle. Authorities say he settled in a tiny California town under the name Wellman Simmonds. However, his world came crashing down after he applied for a passport. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals.

[@TheMedicatedArtist]

Imagine if he never applied for a passport; he’d have lived a full life without ever being caught.

[@gburahbondo2948]

Yep he would have gotten away with it

[@MarMar-yd5oo]

I guess once you get to that age You do seem to forget that you're a criminal from the past.

[@littledudefromacrossthestr5755]

​@@MarMar-yd5ootrue

[@hazel8882]

Karma spinning her rounds faster than ever before.

[@jonnym4670]

and thats why i haven't applied for my passport

[@shigshug8581]

Imagine how many criminals have never been found...

[@H8RSAPPRECIATE]

Im curious how he was able to run with a fake name because wouldn’t someone have suspected him when he try’s to give ID or applying for jobs ? but who knows

[@Jay_88_]

Can't hide from God

[@Its_crazyadamla]

One in the white house

[@LostDaPathymain]

@@H8RSAPPRECIATEnowadays some jobs that pay a medium wage don’t even ask you for all that, it’s just a straight up “do you know how to this or that”

[@Ryan-mf2rg]

​@@Jay_88_Actually yes you can LOL

[@stanford-nf4jk]

I love how the judge told him he was being denied bail! May he rot in prison for the rest of his life!

[@prequaIs]

love to see it

[@oooh19]

He looks older than 65

[@user-mv7kh5sv9z]

He basically was out on bail for 40 years. That's long enough now

[@TYC7343]

He’s had his bail, now he’s got his time.

[@defyyourlogic487]

You act like he didn’t already win going the entire prime of his life and then some out of prison. L

[@betsykeller9096]

So far, I haven't heard a word of remorse for the killing. "I'm being used as a patsy" does not sound like the kind of guy who is 100% rehabilitated.

[@kevinbogert9823]

When you murder someone rehabilitation should be off the table you should suffer like the people they killed and all rape and murder should get the death penalty regardless of mental illness.

[@atlantikjcx7449]

@@kevinbogert9823 Well a great example of why the Us is in the state it in in now...

[@jaeeluv]

W Privilege....

[@trippieplanet2858]

@@atlantikjcx7449Nope I agree with the other guy. He is a threat to the public

[@LebronCCP]

Thank you for your insight Ms. Paroleboard

[@mongoose1788]

He has a daughter? Imagine the shock she found out when her dad happened to be the killer 40 years ago.

[@Airamimosa]

Looks like you didn't heard the end of the video where she tells him "miss you papa, stay strong" doesn't seem she's shocked.

[@Reader999]

3 possible reasons she said that: 1) The daughter doesn't believe her dad is a murderer 2) She's going through emotions and is in denial that her dad is a murderer 3) Is a criminal herself and already knew what her dad done becuz he told her a long time ago or so

[@jacobmorin485]

@@Reader999 or 4) she loves her dad and misses him despite the fact he is a killer.

[@NadiaGirl1]

@@Reader999this is what I hate when killers like this man get caught after years. They get married and have kids then they get found and get arrested. The family don’t believe that their precious father and husband did this and he’s a good Christian man.

[@himhim3344]

40 years ago

[@TheLiamster]

He lost a 5 star wanted level but then got arrested 40 years later

[@Rbxty]

Let’s see what creepy uncle Lester can do for you

[@rayedrama]

😂😂😂

[@AttilatheThrilla]

Get off the video games kid

[@dandaman9994]

Actually 2 stars since he didn’t kill any cops

[@Rbxty]

@@dandaman9994 imagine ruining the joke

[@paulmaweu2064]

cant live a happy peaceful life after causing someone's family so much pain

[@orionelenbaas7947]

You make a good point. I was feeling a little bad for him

[@lowlowseesee]

plenty of monsters do though

[@yerxa420ca]

depends , some ppl deserve it dude . we don't live in a perfect world. some rip ppl off, some pay fr it, street justice

[@simcastpodvids]

He can't believe he finally got caught.

[@javiervelez892]

He was really ballsy to go out and be in public and even try to get a passport

[@leighdavis9522]

He may have applied for a passport using one of his alias names.

[@BombshElle_7]

​@@leighdavis9522Like the judge said: "The very definition of a flight risk."

[@aShamelessHigh]

How would applying for a passport trigger anything if he was able to renew his license over and over? Or how about when he got married. How did they not catch this guy?

[@SouthernBiker]

​@aShamelessHigh that's what I'm wondering

[@wicked3564]

Guys obviously he was able to get a ssn and an ID or whatever in his new name. Otherwise he couldn’t have gotten married or had a job etc.

[@redsocks771]

This scumbag had 40 years of the good life while his victim didn't and the victim's family suffered knowing a killer was out & about. This scumbag should be assigned hard labor and should be give absolutely no consideration. A leopard doesn't change it's spots, who knows what other crimes this scumbag has committed during the last 40 years.

[@Ryan-mf2rg]

WAAAAAHHHHHHH. CRY ABOUT IT LOL BLAME THE UGLY COPS.

[@sunnydelight5255]

@@Ryan-mf2rgHe’s not crying, but Santini is, lol.

[@gdewyg]

Let him go and rot in jail with his crocodile tears

[@Fat12219]

Busted his old xxx 😂😂😂 50 years plus ➕️ 😳

[@c.w.simpsonproductions1230]

"Got away with murder" is a bit poetic. He wasn't in jail, but he spent the last 40 years paranoid and constantly looking over his shoulder.

[@kelzkelly8308]

If he had a conscience.

[@willyjoerockhead]

Sonetimes...I think just being on the run could be prison enough...especally with all the survaliece today

[@lowlowseesee]

@@willyjoerockhead having a family and being able to hug your kids and breathe and go where you want is 'prison enough'? hahahaahahahahahahah sure thing pal

[@sunnydelight5255]

In the clips he doesn’t seem worried at all. Relaxed, chilling.

[@yesman121]

I don't agree, this is wishful thinking and perhaps an attempt to cope with the fact this man got 40 years of freedom after murdering a mother. The fact he got married, raised a family, applied for a passport, ran for a leadership position on the water board and did interviews about it shows he wasn't paranoid at all. He was living his best life fully believing he got away with murder. Otherwise, he never would've done any of that. He would've remained a complete ghost for the rest of his life, not put himself in the spotlight like he did.

[@stephenwright1540]

My condolences to the victims family, but damn a passport after 40 years

[@aceee9813]

You know how many Americans still haven’t stepped outside of the states even to go to Mexico? It’s huge lol

[@angelmarwa443]

No one is using him as a patsy, he's paying for his horrible actions, simple as that. He cleary has no remorse

[@florenceallison8159]

He's a master manipulator and the judge is right. The public's safety is in jeopardy if he were to walk freely.

[@deandanielson8950]

Basically your saying if he goes free anyone can kill him so logically prison is safer is that what you mean

[@SonOfDrogo]

I mean, he lived 40 years without putting anyone's safety in jeopardy. There's a nanoscopic chance that he's putting anyone's safety in danger now. Also, I think you missed the part where the report said he was a "contract killer". He's most certainly not going to kill anybody without a contract. And he has clearly given up contract killing.

[@b.n9076]

He’s on an erg of expiring it’s like 40 years ago most of us in this comment section weren’t even alive.

[@amr8457]

I don't think he's a risk to the public anymore. Turned his life around being a productive citizen. I can pretty much guarantee you that if the charge wasn't "murder" they wouldn't even bother with him at all.

[@tammyl.9254]

Not really. He's been on the loose since then and led a productive life.

[@adri-a4533]

His daughter is crazy. He deserves everything he’s got coming for him.

[@user-hp6mv5we3y]

His daughter is crazy? It’s his daughter, she probably doesn’t know anything. Clearly you’re ego centric and don’t understand perspective

[@sunnydelight5255]

@@user-hp6mv5we3yShe is silly. I would be horrified my father killed an innocent woman but she’s going on mad that his life is being interrupted. Yes ma’am murderers must pay their dues.

[@Plumbing.repairs]

They need to lock her up as well

[@user-hp6mv5we3y]

@@sunnydelight5255 no one cares about your reaction, world doesn’t resolve around you

[@user-hp6mv5we3y]

@@sunnydelight5255 and you’re talking about something unrelated to my comment. You’re a narcissist

[@darkpisces8125]

Murderers walk among us.

[@blazetino5713]

Among us. That’s crazy. We should make a video game revolving around that idea

[@lowlowseesee]

@@blazetino5713 lol

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

So true and you never know who you see in the community.

[@achillesv8980]

My man was crying because he didn’t receive bond. Imagine the family crying this whole time. POS

[@WillowEverlight]

The daughter doesn't seem to care that he's killed people.

[@sparkle3000]

What does a criminal look like?

[@krissoliongco2717]

Time for him to pay for his sins. Better now than the next life.

[@Xane_Dragon]

Prove that there is a next life without using an ancient fictional novel. ⚛

[@joelglanton6531]

@@Xane_Dragon You're so cool and smart bro

[@scrappycoco6282]

@@Xane_Dragon near death experiences

[@Miamiborne1969]

@@Xane_Dragonthere’s overwhelming evidence that Jesus lived died and resurrected to forgive sinners and grant eternal access to God. Research it for yourself. Have a great day 👍

[@GigaHellblaze]

He'll be in prison till he dies now, he's a monster, goes to show he had no remorse and only cares about himself.

[@Fairy20155]

At least he has kids and lived his life

[@nalsra0]

@@Fairy20155He shouldn’t have, should have been in a jail cell for the past 40 years

[@Fairy20155]

@@nalsra0 no they should have not

[@Fairy20155]

@@nalsra0 no

[@madeleine1138]

No remorse! So glad they captured him.

[@lovelylipbonesouwwwwwwwolv2198]

This is so sad.. But I'm glad justice is finally server after 40 long years...

[@soulsreaper7145]

how?? how is it served?? whos the better for this?? the community?? no.. the family??? nope they problaly all dead.

[@FDR-ww6xz]

I've mostly seen hired assassins and bounty hunters on TV Shows and Movies, but I've never seen one in real life before.

[@maglopez1558]

Glad Justice is served 🙏🏽

[@muunhead]

That's 40 years of freedom that he never should have lived. How do you even make up for that? Prison is never enough of a punishment for murclering someone to begin with

[@abhiyaraman20]

Really!!! That daughter is delusional as hell

[@jk12324]

He took a life, now he's getting the happy life he built for himself these 40 years taken away from him too. It's more punishing than putting him away back then in a way

[@seemenowly]

The dude doesn't have much left anyways he lived his better years free

[@Ms.NoNo2]

True, but I feel like this way he’s actually going to suffer because he’s losing something. Had he gone to prison back then, it wouldn’t have been as bad a punishment.

[@deality]

It's crazy though hes getting put away even after so long

[@chessdad182]

No remorse. Enjoy those golden years in prison.

[@luvlost03]

He's only crying because he got caught and is scared of prison.

[@Sarah-dq1fm]

Terrifying…you never know who you’re walking amongst 👀👀

[@jayterry9759]

"Tears as a gray haired grandpa..." 🤣🤣

[@Its_crazyadamla]

40 year's without get pulled over by the cops what is his secret 😮

[@outoftheklosset]

He had a fake identity.

[@lowlowseesee]

an old white man is his secret lol. they dont carry criminality and suspicion like coarse hair, fat noses and dark skin. those stats have been available for years now haha

[@himhim3344]

I mean he did one thing 40yrs ago for money but went on to live a clean normal life. How exactly is he a threat to the community? That judge needs to get her bias and head checked.

[@himhim3344]

@AM-uh7mv We don't but speculation is unnecessary and isn't productive. Based on all evidence and knowledge it was just the one time 40 years ago.

[@oxymoron8790]

@@himhim3344 If he was a contract killer he 100% killed more than just one person.

[@himhim3344]

@@oxymoron8790 Based on what evidence?

[@oxymoron8790]

@@himhim3344 The whole point of becoming a reputable hitman is to make a name for yourself. Obviously people who want to off somebody aren't hiring the first person who says they can do it. They'd need proof that someone can actually do it.

[@LyslScentedLife]

Bottom line: You can never get away with murder. Its the most degrading thing you can do to someone, to take thier life from them. May justice be served. To all killers that is, not just this one

[@Beyond1904]

Jack the Ripper

[@ManiyaVinas]

I think rape is worse You could murder out of self-defense

[@LyslScentedLife]

@alicekirkland4370 ya whatever 😂

[@SuperLegendkiller21]

​@@ManiyaVinaswell then that's not murder ita just killing

[@EikottXD]

Lots of people get away with murder.

[@ElverGalarga-tw4cc]

Everyone is sorry once you get caught 😅

[@BombshElle_7]

Makes you wonder if he killed other people over 4 decades. I can't feel bad for this man, but I feel for his family. They must be wrecks right now.

[@rickjones257]

So glad he got caught, even after 40 Years. Finally, Justice has been served.

[@johnayacko8120]

America is a haven for those ppl. they can do what ever they want.

[@xredb]

Imagine how many more killers live amongst us😮

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

Finally. May her family have closure.

[@bigsanrio]

Why did she bring up 911

[@vjmarak]

Because security measures changed drastically afterwards.

[@oxymoron8790]

@@vjmarak Yeah especially after all the money went missing

[@granitegobbler95]

Judge: There is nothing I can do to preserve the safety of this community if I were to let you go. The guy has been hiding in plain sight, had a family and had been accomplishing average day subjects after killing one specific person. For 40 years!!! I’m pretty sure the guy despite his lack of remorse is sane.

[@thegreyavenger2]

I was thinking the same thing. If he was a serial killer that’s one thing but if he lived a clean life for 40 years and was an upstanding citizen not sure why the judge would say that.

[@soulsreaper7145]

hes probaly had 40 years for remorse

[@Kirby-1030]

Coming from me as in someone who has always had terrible parents & will hate them even till their Deaths, I’ll never understand how somebody could say “I love you Papa” after finding out that your father is a murderer. Right there I wouldn’t want ANYTHING to do with the person nor speak to them if finding out they’re a killer.

[@CocoAvalon]

Bc he showed his child love, so of course she loves him. I had terrible parents too, but if I would've had parents that loved me., then I would love them no matter what. I might hate a terrible act they committed before I was born, but that wouldn't change the bond we had.

[@Miamiborne1969]

Sorry you have so much bitterness 😔

[@beanzor]

Clearly you wouldn't understand. He probably raised her as any father would.

[@4698mags]

Love supersedes

[@tanaa2x586]

What? Dude he’s been in that girl life since she were born, & I would assume she’s atleast 30 years old. You have no clue how close her & her father is. Literally nothing will take her love away from her father, as it shouldn’t 🤷🏽‍♂️ ofc what he did was wrong, but that’s not the man she’s know her whole life

[@rrominan]

Murder Suspect Hid in Plain Sight for 40 Years: Prosecutors

[@UltraZakii]

Imagine the victim's family right now. A lot of old wounds got opened but finally with some closure.

[@kham3610]

I missed you papa. Stay strong but don’t kill innocent people and go to hell.

[@mountainjay]

A contract murderer no less- the worst of the worst.

[@lawrencewalston2272]

A truly upstanding citizen would've turned in that woman's ex-husband, forgoing any money he stood to make.

[@DMH-bt2zo]

Regardless whether it’s a mere split of a second or as long as decades, all lies and fabrications will surface and destroy the person eventually, but I’m just impressed how some people have the ability to manipulate and deceive others for so long before they got caught. Hell, I lied a few times and not even a second later I was caught red handed. This guy was clever enough to hide a lie or secret for 4 decades.

[@sparkle3000]

Then they play victim. It's everybody's fault.

[@moderndayentertainment5812]

Like Dexter

[@titan8084]

Just means you're a terrible liar.

[@cherylecrawford1950]

Sounds like Donald Trump

[@DMH-bt2zo]

@@sparkle3000 Bro you srs? Like, be kind enough to explain how everyone else is like, involved.

[@BuGu16]

Finally justice

[@tommyhill9476]

“I miss you papa”…. That’s what his daughter said? Imagine the family of the dead woman saying “I miss you mama”….Your dad should rot in that jail

[@spiceupyourlife7755]

The piller and the good person of the community. Is always the killer.

[@amandad6104]

He finally got caught lol

[@JWatts-gc4zw]

The murdered woman finally gets justice

[@prilrosalestv]

Thanks God you get caught!

[@LeoPard-HQ]

He was so confident he thought his past is buried with that woman.

[@devonstrachan3658]

Man's just like "ok you got me"

[@jazzymilk9996]

Gotta give him respect for hiding for 40 years lol

[@tristan583]

Always consider anybody dangerous, never assume you know a person , what he can do or he can’t do

[@blizzardlizzer234]

you?

[@peasndough]

He thought history erased it self huhhh

[@susnasongbird1277]

No remorse even after all this time. May he rot in jail!

[@KAAnn-uc8nn]

ME, ME, ME. I, I, I. No words for the woman or her family.

[@ziggyzag7864]

Cant believe the injustice that the victims family feels. Her parents probably never got closure and passed away thinking their daughters murderer didn't get caught.

[@soulsreaper7145]

whats it matter?? its not like he conintued killing.... you act like the parents woulda had all there greef healed if they woulda caught him. the pain dosent go away.

[@MacquiaNycure]

According to the Bible, he got away!

[@kartiersupremewhite330]

Wow he applied for a Passport,,,that gotta hurt! Well he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

[@avivacohen8785]

Sounds like he turned his life around. Should he go free? What does the public say???

[@steves955]

well man, you got caught

[@AndreMartens-lq8vu]

He’s already been on bond for 40 years he thinks he deserves more serious

[@10percent4DaBigGuy]

lol shouldn't have gone for the passport!

[@zackkats5292]

Mustache should've went long ago

[@weekscarr009]

Damn it must suck to get caught after 40 years, the family is happy though

[@rdelacruz8949]

He got so overconfident that he went to apply for a passport smh. Not knowing about all the technology that's out today

[@weekscarr009]

@@rdelacruz8949 yeah he messed up

[@tymck9694]

He's just one of many. ✌

[@nicholasgeorge4156]

This is why we keep saying we will find out who did it even if it’s decades later. I hope we find DB cooper next. Maybe one day.

[@peterparker1724]

Never gonna happen. DB Cooper isn’t even his real name 😂 It would take some random guy suddenly confessing for an arrest to happen, and even then nobody could be sure if it was really him. Not to mention that he could very well be dead by now, he may have even died the day it happened

[@nicholasgeorge4156]

@@peterparker1724 i was giving an example. This goes for tons of other random criminals we know little to nothing about. Db cooper just happens to be one of the most interesting cause he’s the only person to do what he did. And I’m sure they would have said the “never gonna happen” in this story too but it did

[@macro8236]

Highly likely DB Cooper never survived the jump. All the evidence seems to point that way

[@tammyl.9254]

Cooper is probably dead!

[@NINOROMELLO]

Bad santa! 😯

[@Tj11813]

How did applying for a passport take him down?

[@firsttimeisawjupiter1031]

Demons in plain sight

[@InMaTeofDeath]

Nah just animals acting like animals do.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@InMaTeofDeathWhat is wrong with animals? Animals don’t murder for no good reasons often like humans do.

[@BKME19]

His adult daughter is a clown 🤡 or what? “I miss you, papa. Stay strong.”

[@PraiseParis]

Why is she a clown? She isn’t supposed to miss her dad or want him to stay strong?

[@swanronson8371]

@@PraiseParisright?

[@GemKeeper87]

Because they’re literally family? The answer is simple if you have common sense lmao

[@showtim3]

40 YRS? THAT MEANS HE DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF LIFE.....UNTIL BEING CAPTURED

[@journeymansmitty8283]

Well imagine that homeboy looks like Papa Geppetto from Pinocchio🤣😂😂🤣

[@parkertoby4485]

Imagine how many uncaught criminals we walk past

[@MsRotorwings]

The audacity to apply for a passport. He really thought he was above the law. I guess at some point you believe your own lies.

[@Ryan-mf2rg]

Because he was. LOL

[@australianjackaroo6660]

It's going to be very difficult to secure a conviction after so much time has passed

[@thegreyavenger2]

I think he confessed under interrogation

[@AccountInactive]

40 years. He's not even remotely close the the same person he was. Doesn't excuse what he did, but damn, that's a lifetime to pass for this to catch up to him.

[@reginamushi6582]

Honestly if I hear "Pillar of the Community" another time!!!!😮

[@ssj-rose4572]

How is he a flight risk he hide for 40 and he’s a danger to the community

[@HM-hc9um]

A lesson for criminals on the run, don’t apply for a passport 😂

[@cortiz6890]

He wasn’t hiding 😂😂

[@tdgdbs1]

"I'm being used as a patsy"??? WTH he was thinking? Florida will not take kindly to his statement.

[@jasonfoster1996]

I bet the only reason he is crying is because he is upset with himself for applying for that passport

[@4kChannel]

I wonder how they caught him with the passport?

[@_PAIGE94]

SMH

[@chelskaf]

40 years is a long ass time omg

[@mrjlee4294]

He must be related to the pentagon and most billionaires

[@wandabellamy6120]

YIKES 65?!! That Killer ain't no 65 y/o

[@Piratemurf]

He got married in 1990😂

[@theprayingiguanabengalmomma]

Wake up!

[@RoseNZieg]

he should have turned himself in back then and served his sentence. by now he would had been out and about instead of going to prison for the rest of his life.

[@Piratemurf]

How did he get caught 😂

[@oshanegriffiths8972]

If this guy is a contract killer, then there's gotta be more bodies on his name that nobody knows about...