TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Family Of Slain Woman Elated, Conflicted By Arrest

ADVERTISEMENT

By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

  Ryan Cataneo

The aunt of a slain Belleair woman says the family had mixed emotions when they heard the man wanted in connection to her killing had been caught.

Family members were "elated" that Ryan Cataneo, 40, was found and arrested in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning.

But the man's capture served as a reminder that his wife, Deana Cataneo, was forever lost, said her aunt, Roberta Ferguson of California.

"We cannot wait until justice is served," Ferguson said in a statement from the family e-mailed to The Tampa Tribune. "However, that does not change the fact that we are still in mourning over losing our beautiful and vivacious Deana."

Ryan Cataneo was arrested by U.S. Marshals about 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Casino in Las Vegas, authorities say. Detectives tracked Cataneo to Nevada after he was recorded on a store's security camera in Louisiana on Nov. 25, Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Jim Bordner said.

The body of Deana Cataneo, 39, was discovered by relatives on the morning of Nov. 28 inside the Belleair home she shared with her husband. Detectives initially ruled the death at 7 Baybrook Place suspicious, then ruled the case a homicide a few days later.

Ryan Cataneo was not at the residence when his wife's body was discovered, detectives say, and warrants for his arrest were issued shortly after.

Cataneo was being held tonight at the Clark County Detention Center. A court hearing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday to extradite Cataneo back to Florida, jail records show.

Ferguson said she is relieved it took law enforcement agencies only six weeks to take Cataneo into custody. But the death of her niece, whom she recalled as inspiring and gracious, still haunts her.

"Our lives are forever changed," Ferguson said in the statement.

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

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT