Family of Mom, Toddler Waits 30 Years for Murder Trial

Dante Santoni was brutally murdered, days after celebrating his third birthday. He, his mother Connie Villa, 28, along with Villa's longtime partner and Dante's father, Francisco Santoni, 59, were found stabbed to death on Aug. 11, 1994 in their east El Paso home.

But it wasn't until 2022 when El Paso police announced they had arrested a suspect responsible for this heinous act. Arturo Ortega Garcia was extradited from Mexico and has been in the El Paso County Jail awaiting trial ever since.

Villa's surviving siblings talk about their 30-year-long wait for a trial, during which they hope to learn why their sister and nephew were killed.

To see photos of Connie, Dante and Francisco, visit the website.

UPDATE (09/26/24): The judge set Ortega Garcia's case for trial on March 3, 2025. Read the update on the KVIA website.