Cheri Oteri's Dad Stabbed To Death By Nashville Songwriter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The father of TV comic Cheri Oteri was stabbed to death and a country songwriter has been arrested, police said Monday. Richard William Fagan, 61, had been charged with criminal homicide in the Saturday night death of 69-year-old Gaetano Thomas Oteri, police said.

Authorities said the victim's daughter, who was on the cast of "Saturday Night Live," had been told of her father's death.

Police say Fagan and the victim were roommates.

Police said Fagan had been arrested Saturday night on a charge of driving under the influence, and shortly after he posted bail on Sunday a friend of the roommates told police their door was locked, the house appeared to be in disarray and Oteri wasn't answering the door.

Emergency medical technicians found Oteri dead in the house.

It appears that Oteri he died from a "significant laceration" to his wrist caused by Fagan's knife, police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Police said detectives found Fagan while he was still with his bail bondsman.

Jail officials say they don't have a record of an attorney for Fagan.

Fagan is listed as co-writer on hits by singer John Michael Montgomery, including "Sold (the Grundy County Auction Incident)," "Be My Baby Tonight," and "I Miss You a Little." Fagan told police his songs have been recorded by several country artists.

Comments

[Cubancoffee]

Dear HuffPo,

Do you ever worry about being sued for libel or slander? Your headlines pretty much convict Fagan of murder. Here's a tip: Just because police say something, doesn't mean it so. This is basic journalism.

[MKJeeves]

It would have to be libel rather than slander.

[spaceman3838]

aparently the murderer was a big clinton supporter

[Aramingo]

When someone has given the world as much laughter as Cheri, it pains all of us who laughed to see such sorrow inflicted on her. Our thoughts are with her.

[Pookie2112]

My sympathies go out to Cheri and her family ... but she really needs to lay off the botox and/or plastic surgery.

[bannelee]

She looks the same as ever to me-and geesh! is this the time to be so catty?
I just watched her SNL dvd 2 days ago-i really miss her-her and will ferrill were sooo funny together!My heart goes out to her!

[AnnoyedCanuck]

Wow, with "sympathies" like that, who needs scorn and derision?

Would you say this to a friend who had has some work done, if her father were killed? What a compassionate person you are.

[snarkopolitan]

Reading your profile, I was surprised to find that you're not a completely brainless pre-teen getting her jollies exclusively from serial celebrity bashing. Somehow, that makes your comment even more discouraging.
To coin a phrase, "Doofus. Your compassion is underwhelm­ing."

[BlueLogic]

Cheri's brought me so much laughter through the years on SNL. She's lovely and talented. My heart goes out to her. God Bless her and her family during this tragic time.

[asnevitt]

Why do you have a picture of her smiling? It's a bit macabre to have this exuberant face above such a tragic headline.

[Tages72]

I just watched Cheri in a repeat of "Just Shoot Me" a couple of weeks back. Very tragic news. I'm sorry to hear about it and can only imagine what she's going through right now. My condolences to Cheri and her family.

[Eric8869]

My heart goes out to you Cheri!

[pennyfortheguy]

Incomprehensible. Very sad for Cheri.

[sweetchuckd]

This kind of sick violence is everywhere. Check out http://detentionslip.org for a breaking story about a father who stabbed a student at a public school in Texas.

[pennyfortheguy]

Sad to see reason being short-circuited so widely. Yet we remain a bloodthirsty society. Grand Theft Auto 4 went on sale last night.

[nibblybits]

Sad. Cheri Oteri is a talented comedienne and actress. We don't see enough of her.

Condolences.

[chumleypotts]

Tragic. Cheri has always been one of my favorite comediennes. I genuinely feel terrible for her and the family. The poor guy lived to see 69 years, only to have life cut short so needlessly. My heart goes out to her.