Pennsylvania Man Receives Life Sentence for Double Homicide Following Argument Over Dinner
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Lancaster County judge has sentenced a 64-year-old man to spend the remainder of his life in prison for the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and her elderly aunt—a violent culmination of what prosecutors described as a "senseless" argument over household chores.
Santiago Payano-Sanchez pleaded guilty on January 30 to two counts of criminal homicide, along with charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office confirmed he received two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 20 to 40 years in state prison.
The tragedy unfolded on the evening of October 5, 2025, at Payano-Sanchez’s West Hempfield Township home. According to court testimony from Assistant District Attorney Jessica Collo, a dispute arose between Payano-Sanchez and his 59-year-old estranged wife, Ana Gutierrez-Cedano, who used a wheelchair, regarding who would prepare dinner. The argument quickly turned deadly when Payano-Sanchez retrieved a firearm.
Authorities state he first shot Gutierrez-Cedano. When his 33-year-old son intervened, attempting to disarm him, Payano-Sanchez shot the young man as well—though he ultimately survived. The assailant then proceeded upstairs, where he fatally shot 74-year-old Dominga Cedano-Cedano, the victim’s aunt.
Two young children, aged 2 and 7, were present in the home during the shooting but were physically unharmed. Payano-Sanchez later surrendered to police at the scene.
During the sentencing hearing, Payano-Sanchez addressed the court through an interpreter, expressing remorse but an inability to explain his actions. "I need to face what the law is imposing on me," he stated, adding a plea for forgiveness from his family.
Victim impact statements, read aloud by prosecutors, painted a picture of profound and lasting grief. Gutierrez-Cedano’s daughter described "permanent loss, pain and grief," while Cedano-Cedano’s daughter wrote that her mother’s death "has left a void that can never be filled," emphasizing the lifelong trauma the family now endures.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered Payano-Sanchez to pay over $11,000 in restitution and issued a no-contact order pertaining to the victims’ families.
Community Reaction:
“This wasn’t just a crime of passion—it was a calculated act of violence against vulnerable family members. The fact that it stemmed from something as mundane as dinner duties makes it even more chilling. It underscores how domestic tensions can explode with deadly consequences when firearms are accessible.” — Marcus Thorne, former prosecutor and local community safety advocate.
“The survivor’s guilt his son must carry, after trying to stop his own father… it’s unimaginable. Those children in the house will need a lifetime of support. The sentence is just, but it doesn’t bring back their grandmother or heal the wounds.” — Dr. Elena Rodriguez, family trauma counselor.
“Life in prison is the bare minimum. He executed two defenseless women over who would cook? And he shot his own son! Where was the de-escalation? Where was the basic humanity? This is why we need stronger red flag laws—this man should never have had a gun.” — Rebecca Shaw, founder of a domestic violence prevention network, in an emotional response.
“Tragically, this case fits a pattern of late-life domestic violence where separation, combined with access to a weapon, turns a simmering conflict into a massacre. The legal system’s swift resolution here at least spares the family a prolonged trial.” — Professor David Chen, criminologist at Penn State University.
The case has reignited local discussions about firearm access in volatile domestic situations and the support systems available for families undergoing separations.