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Search Goes On For Husband Of Slain Belleair Woman

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By RAY REYES

rreyes@tampatrib.com

Published: December 4, 2008

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  Ryan Cataneo

As family members mourned the loss of Belleair resident Deana Cataneo, investigators are continuing to search for the man accused of slaying her.

Her husband, Ryan Cataneo, 40, was last seen in Louisiana on Nov. 25, detectives say. He is wanted on a warrant for first-degree murder, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

"The loss of her wonderful, inspiring and gracious soul has impacted many," Roberta Ferguson, Deana Cataneo's aunt, said in a prepared statement. "It is our goal to bring her murderer to justice."

The body of Deana Cataneo, 39, was discovered by relatives inside 7 Baybrook Place, at 11:13 a.m. Friday. Detectives initially investigated the death as suspicious, then ruled the case a homicide over the weekend.

Ryan Cataneo was not at the residence when his wife's body was discovered, detectives say.

The investigation continues and detectives are pursuing leads to find Cataneo, sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said.

Ferguson said she remembers her niece as a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, "greatly loved and admired for her poise and determination."

"Deana will be missed dearly by her family and friends," said Ferguson of Murietta, Calif..

Deana Cataneo owned a company called Coast to Coast Installers, records show. Ryan Cataneo worked for a company that provides rubber surfaces for playgrounds, said his former sister-in-law Tama Arquette.

Arquette, of Kenosha, Wis., said detectives are looking for the "wrong guy." Cataneo, she said, would not "harm a fly" and "would never lay his hand on a woman. He is a great guy who provides for his family and takes care of them."

Her sister, Kristy, and Cataneo have been divorced for about a year and have an 8-year-old daughter together, Arquette said.

Cataneo is described as white with a thin build, 6 feet tall and about 190 pounds. He has short brown hair, brown eyes and is normally clean-shaven.

Ferguson said because Cataneo laid tile for a living, he leans forward when he walks and has a hunched back. She added that he has tan skin, smokes cigarettes and drinks Coors Light beer.

Anyone with information can call Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Detective John Spoor at (727) 582-6200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

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