OR - Teresa Peroni, 27, Selma, 3 July 1983

[Adria]

Hey hi hello everybody. Just dropping by the thread to let folks know that I have officially received a redacted copy of Teresa Peroni's missing persons report, and several of the supplementary reports. Unfortunately, three of the documents I was given by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office are prints of old microfilm, meaning that some portions are obscured by a weird white glare. I'm working with a friend to restore whatever relevant information is within the unreadable bits. Hopefully we can get that accomplished soon.

From what I can gather from the most recent supplementary report, in 2004 the investigation was re-opened and the FBI was briefly involved. The FBI was supposed to obtain the skull fragments from the 1997 Valley Heights Jane Doe, discovered about a quarter mile from Teresa's last known location, so that they could perform mitochondrial DNA tests.
JCSO detective Ken Selig, who I have nothing but good things to say about, (every time his name pops up in one of my local cases I desperately wish he could un-retire himself) contacted the Central Point Medical Examiners office several times over the course of about two months, attempting to get the skull fragments. It seems the remains were misplaced, as Selig had to unfortunately retract his request for FBI assistance. later that year due to being unable to locate the skull.
The good news is, even though this is where the report ends, we know that skull has been located since, and is eventually going to be compared to Teresa's familial DNA. The state ME has reiterated to me that she cannot tell me much about the comparison or results, as this is classified as an 'active investigation.'
I would love to have faith that JCSO is in fact actively investigating Terry's disappearance and presumed homicide. (the 2004 report actually re-categorizes the case as a homicide) But I know they are extremely limited in their resources, and do not even have detectives in the department.

I have emailed JCSO to see if they will give any update regarding the status of this investigation, or what needs to be done to further it.

Also, here's Teresa's new missing person's flyer, courtesy of the Josephine County Missing Person Project.

 

[Adria]

Theresa is my aunt. I was informed about a week and a half ago by my family that Josephine County has reopened the investigation. They visited my mom and her brother (Theresa's half siblings) and stabbed for DNA with the intention to compare it to the partial skull remains that were found in 1997 in the area Theresa went missing. We are very hopeful that we will at the very least confirm if the Jane Doe skull fragments are from Theresa. I'm glad to hear they reopened the investigation and that the skull remains from 97 are in a facility that has the technology to test the bone fragment DNA and that we have 2 half siblings DNA to compare with.

 

[The4TierBridge]

She has been identified as #UP16479, discovered on January 4 1997 in Selma, Oregon.

Suspect arrested in connection to 1983 homicide in Josephine County - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – In a major breakthrough in a 42-year-old cold case homicide, a 72-year-old California man has been arrested in connection with the 1983 disappearance of 27-year-old Theresa Peroni. On Saturday, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Chico Police...

kobi5.com

 

[cenazoic]

Wow!

“n 1997, a human skull was discovered in the area and sent to the University of North Texas for examination and DNA analysis. The case remained unsolved until it was reopened in 2024. Further investigation confirmed the remains belonged to Peroni, and new DNA evidence linked Sanfrantello to the crime.”

I’m dying to know what kind of DNA evidence remained on a skull/pieces of skull, and whether they ever found any other remains.

Kudos to JCSO and @ALightForEricka for persisting, and Theresa’s family for keeping the light on.

 

[haggis]

An Oregon woman disappeared 42 years ago. DNA advancements lead to ex-boyfriend's indictment on murder.

Teresa Peroni was 27 years old when she disappeared on or around July 4, 1983, in Selma, Oregon. She was last seen with her then-boyfriend Mark Sanfratello.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Richard]

Teresa Peroni (left) was last seen with her boyfriend Mark Sanfratello near a wooded area on July 4, 1983.

Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arrested in California on June 28 and charged with murder...

LINK:

His girlfriend disappeared in 1983. He is now charged with murder.

Mark Sanfratello, now 72, was last seen with his girlfriend Teresa Peroni in July 1983. Her remains were found 14 years later in 1997.

www.aol.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“What happened to Teresa Peroni left her family with decades of uncertainty and grief,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “While the legal process is now underway and it’s important not to prejudge its outcome, this arrest reflects the progress that’s possible when law enforcement agencies persist and evolve with new tools. It’s a powerful reminder that time doesn’t erase the need for answers.”

Oregon Department of Justice Prosecuting 1983 Murder Case in Josephine County | Oregon Political Journal

Oregon Political Journal is an online news publication focusing on politics & government in the Oregon: Fresh news on politics and government in Oregon

www.oregonpoliticaljournal.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges.

In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property, which was then searched with the use of a cadaver dog, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. The skull was sent to the University of North Texas for examination.

The sheriff’s office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni’s.

Sanfratello was taken into custody last month in Chico, California.

Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who attended the party.

Man arraigned on murder charge in Oregon for death of his then-girlfriend in 1980s cold case

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A man who is suspected in the disappearance of his then-girlfriend in the 1980s and was recently extradited from California to Oregon

ktar.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Teresa Peroni and Mark Sanfratello pictured together in 1982, one year before her disappearance in southern Oregon

Investigators re-interviewed individuals connected to Peroni and submitted new DNA samples. Modern forensic testing finally confirmed what her family had long suspected—the skull belonged to Teresa Peroni.

On June 27, 2025, a grand jury indicted Sanfratello on a murder charge based on the newly analyzed DNA evidence and additional information gathered during the reopened investigation. He was arrested the next day in California.

“After four decades, we’re finally able to take this critical step toward justice for Teresa and her family,” the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Sanfratello will be extradited to Josephine County to face charges.

Oregon Woman’s 1983 Disappearance Leads to Murder Arrest 40 Years Later

A decades-old mystery in southern Oregon may finally be coming to a close. Authorities say a northern California man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Teresa Peroni, an Oregon woman

thatoregonlife.com

 

[Darling136]

Linking the UID thread (now identified)

Identified! Thread 'OR - Selma, Valley Heights Rd, WhtFem 20-35, UP16479, metopic suture, Jan'97 (Teresa Peroni) *Arrest*'

Mar 31, 2017

Namus UP 16479

https://www.identifyus.org/en/cases/16479

Unidentified Body/Remains (White Female)

Found January 4, 1997 in Josephine County, OR
Body Condition: Not recognizable - partial skeletal parts only
Probable year of death: to
Estimated postmortem interval: years

Vital Statistics
Estimated age: 20-35 (Adult - Pre 40)...

• Romulus
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Identified!

• 

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that Marcus Sanfratello, 73, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 1983 homicide of Teresa Peroni, closing a case that went unsolved for more than four decades. Sanfratello pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree in Josephine County Circuit Court. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he will serve a minimum of 10 years.

“For Teresa Peroni’s family, this has been a 43-year wait for an answer they never should have had to wait for,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Cases like this remind us of why we don’t give up. It doesn’t matter how many years have passed – if someone took a life, we’re going to keep working until we can hold them accountable.”

The case dates back to July 1983, when Teresa Peroni, then 27, was reported missing shortly after attending a party in the Selma area. She was last seen walking in the woods with Sanfratello, who was her boyfriend at the time. Her disappearance was deemed suspicious, but an initial investigation by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office did not produce sufficient evidence to support charges.

In 1997, a human skull was discovered on nearby private property, though no additional remains were found. In 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case with prosecution and investigative support from the Oregon Department of Justice, the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators re-interviewed witnesses, collected new DNA evidence, and applied modern forensic techniques to build a case against Sanfratello. On June 27, 2025, evidence was presented to a Josephine County grand jury. They indicted Sanfratello on the charge of Murder in the Second Degree. Chico Police, coordinating with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Justice, arrested him the following day in Chico, CA. He was then extradited to Oregon.

Oregon DOJ Secures 20-Year Sentence in 1983 Cold Case Homicide of Teresa Peroni - Oregon Department of Justice

Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that Marcus Sanfratello, 73, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 1983 homicide of Teresa Peroni, closing a case that went unsolved for more than four decades. Sanfratello pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree in Josephine...

www.doj.state.or.us