Cheri Oteri's Father Murdered

Zap2It.com | April 28, 2008

Cheri Oteri

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Gaetano 'Tom' Oteri was stabbed by country songwriter Richard Fagan

Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Cheri Oteri is dealing with her father's sudden death.

The comedienne's dad, Gaetano Thomas Oteri, was stabbed to death on Saturday, April 26 in Nashville, Tenn., reports The Tennessean.

The 69-year-old music publisher died from a wrist laceration that caused significant bleeding.

Country songwriter Richard Fagan, known for writing No. 1 hit songs "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Sold (the Grundy County Auction Incident)," allegedly cut roommate and music associate Oteri with a pocket knife during an argument. Both men were drunk at the time, and Fagan fled the scene.

Fagan, 61, was pulled over for a DUI later that night and arrested. While in jail, he called a friend to check on Oteri. The friend contacted the authorities after he could see that Fagan's house was in disarray through a locked screen door, and Oteri didn't respond to knocks on the door. The police found Oteri's body and blood inside the home.

Fagan has been charged with criminal homicide.

Actress Cheri Oteri, 45, has been informed of her father's death and is heading to Nashville Monday afternoon. She is best known for her time on "Saturday Night Live." She recently voiced a princess for "Shrek the Third" and stars alongside Jessica Simpson in the upcoming summer comedy "Major Movie Star."