Pennsylvania Man Gets Life Without Parole After Killing Estranged Wife and Aunt in Argument Over Dinner

WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA — A Lancaster County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after prosecutors say a routine argument over who would cook dinner spiraled into a deadly shooting that left his estranged wife and her elderly aunt dead, and his own son seriously wounded.

Santiago Payano-Sanchez, 64, was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 20 to 40 years in state prison, following his guilty plea to multiple charges including two counts of criminal homicide, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.

A Domestic Argument Turns Deadly

The fatal incident occurred on the night of October 5, 2025, inside the family’s home on Oak Hollow Drive in West Hempfield Township, a small community roughly 90 miles west of Philadelphia.

During the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Collo described the violence as a “senseless” escalation of a domestic disagreement over who would prepare dinner that evening.

Prosecutors said Payano-Sanchez retrieved a firearm during the argument and shot his estranged wife, 59-year-old Ana Gutierrez-Cedano, who was confined to a wheelchair at the time.

Son Shot While Trying to Stop the Violence

As the chaos unfolded, the couple’s 33-year-old son attempted to intervene, trying to wrestle the gun away from his father. Instead, he was shot in the stomach, surviving but suffering serious injuries. According to prosecutors, bullet fragments remain lodged in his body to this day.

The violence did not stop there.

Authorities said Payano-Sanchez then walked upstairs and fatally shot his wife’s aunt, 74-year-old Dominga Cedano-Cedano, killing her inside the home.

Children Present Inside the Home

Two young children — ages 2 and 7 — were also inside the residence at the time of the shooting. Authorities confirmed that both children were physically unharmed, though prosecutors emphasized the long-term emotional trauma such violence leaves behind.

When police arrived, they initially believed they were dealing with a barricaded gunman, but Payano-Sanchez ultimately surrendered without further incident. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.

Judge Hands Down “Life — and Then Some”

Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Conrad imposed two life sentences without parole, ordering them to run consecutively. The court also added a 20-to-40-year sentence for the remaining charges, effectively ensuring Payano-Sanchez will never be released from prison.

In addition, the court ordered him to pay more than $11,000 in restitution and permanently barred him from any contact with the victims’ families.

Heartbreaking Victim Impact Statements

During the hearing, prosecutors read victim impact letters from surviving family members.

The daughter of Dominga Cedano-Cedano said her mother’s death “left a void that can never be filled,” adding that the family will carry the trauma for the rest of their lives.

Ana Gutierrez-Cedano’s daughter described ongoing PTSD, sleepless nights, and overwhelming grief, calling the loss permanent and life-altering.

Defendant Asks for Forgiveness

Payano-Sanchez briefly addressed the court, saying he could not explain how the argument escalated so violently. He asked his family for forgiveness and acknowledged the consequences of his actions.

“I need to face what the law is imposing on me,” he told the judge.

A Tragic Reminder of How Fast Violence Escalates

Prosecutors emphasized that the case highlights how domestic disputes can turn lethal in moments, particularly when firearms are involved. What began as a mundane disagreement ended with two lives lost, a son permanently injured, and a family shattered forever.

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