A chilling turn of events stands to finally close a dark chapter, as Mark Sanfratello faces justice for Teresa Peroni’s disappearance 42 years later.
At a Glance
- Teresa Peroni vanished in 1983 after a party in Selma, Oregon.
- Her boyfriend, Mark Sanfratello, is charged with her murder.
- A skull found in 1997 was identified as Peroni’s via DNA testing.
- Advancements in forensic technology spurred the reopening of the case in 2024.
- A grand jury indicted Sanfratello on June 27, 2025; he was arrested in California.
Decades of Unanswered Questions
Teresa Peroni, a 27-year-old from Selma, Oregon, disappeared on July 4th, 1983, under mysterious circumstances. Despite initial investigations deeming her disappearance “suspicious in nature,” authorities lacked the concrete evidence needed for prosecution. Peroni was last seen heading into the woods with her then-boyfriend, Mark Sanfratello, following a heated argument over possible infidelity. For decades, this case languished, a grim reminder of justice yet to be served.
Watch a report: 42-Year-Old Oregon Cold Case Solved: Man Arrested for Girlfriend’s Murder
In 1997, a human skull was discovered and later confirmed through DNA analysis to belong to Teresa Peroni. Despite this revelation, the case remained cold, with investigators unable to advance on Sanfratello or anyone else. Again and again, the unavailability of solid evidence thwarted justice—until now.
New DNA evidence leads to man’s indictment decades after ex-girlfriend disappeared https://t.co/Sc5F2IpHPZ pic.twitter.com/1DZWGCcaxE
— The Independent (@Independent) July 4, 2025
A Break in the Cold Case
In February 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office decided enough was enough, reopening the investigation into Peroni’s disappearance. New forensic methods, along with fresh witness testimonies, breathed life into the cold case. The breakthrough came on June 27, 2025, when a grand jury indicted Mark Sanfratello for murder, largely bolstered by DNA results and witness accounts from those connected to Peroni’s past.
“On June 27th, 2025, after locating multiple individuals associated with Peroni, DNA results and the original case/investigation, a Josephine County Grand Jury indicted Sanfratello on the charge of Murder” – Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
Moving Toward Justice
Sanfratello, now 72, was located and taken into custody without incident by the Chico Police Department, a testament to the meticulous efforts of law enforcement. Now facing extradition, his upcoming trial brings the solemn promise of closure for the Peroni family who have lived under the shadow of tragedy for over four decades.
“Located and taken into custody without incident” – Chico Police Department
This ground-breaking turn in the Teresa Peroni case resounds beyond personal grief, echoing the capabilities of modern forensic technology and the relentless determination of authorities unwilling to let cold cases gather dust. It is a poignant reminder that justice, no matter how delayed, still holds value in our society. The wheels of justice may have turned sluggishly, but they are indeed turning.
