Belleair murder suspect arrested in Las Vegas

BELLEAIR -- A man accused of killing his wife in November and traveling cross country to evade capture has been arrested in Las Vegas.

Ryan Michael Cataneo, 40, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals this morning at the Wild Wild West casino-hotel near the Las Vegas strip. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Jim Bordner confirmed the arrest and said the next step will be extraditing Cataneo to face a first-degree murder charge in Pinellas County.

Deana M. Cataneo, 39, was found dead of homicidal violence on Nov. 28 after relatives who were visiting for Thanksgiving couldn't reach her or her husband, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. She was found under the covers of a bed at the couple's home at 7 Baybrook Place in the wealthy town of Belleair. Deputies couldn't reach her husband, Ryan.

That weekend, deputies got an arrest warrant for Ryan Cataneo and said he was last seen in Louisiana three days before the victim's body was discovered. He was later captured on surveillance footage in December in Baton Rouge (photo left).

Jail records show Cataneo is being held at the Clark County jail awaiting an extradition hearing on Thursday, the Monterey County Herald reported.

Assistant Chief Deputy Marshal Javier Jiminez credited cooperation between local officials and a federal fugitive apprehension team with the arrest on a first-degree murder warrant issued by Pinellas County, according to the Herald.

Carolyn Edds and Stephanie Garry, Times staff writers

Comments

[muriella]

It is somewhat satisfying to see that once again you can run but not hide in this Country forever.

[Bobcat]

these murderers are just to stupid to stay out of sight and they always seem to get no where when trying to get away

[jana]

This man murdered my cousin and I am so thankful for everyone who helped bring our family peace and Deana justice! Now she can finally rest in peace!