Wife's Dark Secret Uncovered After Husband's Brutal Murder: The Robert Fingerhut Case
In December 2001, a horrifying discovery shattered the peaceful facade of a suburban home. Donna Roberts returned from shopping to find her husband, Robert Fingerhut, lying lifeless on their kitchen floor. The 57-year-old businessman had been shot multiple times, with a fatal wound to the back of his head and defensive injuries indicating he had fought for his life. Despite the violent nature of the attack, nothing in the house appeared disturbed - except for Robert's missing Chrysler 300.
Initial investigations revealed puzzling details that suggested this was no random act of violence. There was no forced entry, implying Robert likely knew his attacker. Small blood droplets found away from the main crime scene hinted at the assailant's path through the house. While Donna was quickly cleared through gunshot residue testing and timeline verification, the question remained: who would want to harm a respected community businessman? During police interviews, Donna mentioned a man named Santiago, who she claimed had previously stolen Robert's .38 caliber revolver - the same caliber as the murder weapon.
Key Takeaways
Robert Fingerhut was found murdered in his kitchen with multiple gunshot wounds, with no signs of robbery but his car missing from the scene.
Evidence suggested the killer was someone Robert knew, as there was no forced entry and the attack appeared targeted rather than random.
Police initially cleared Donna Roberts through forensic testing, then began investigating a potential suspect named Santiago who allegedly stole a .38 caliber revolver matching the murder weapon.
Murder Scene Uncovered
Donna's Horrifying Discovery
On December 12, 2001, Donna Roberts returned home to a nightmare. The 58-year-old woman found her husband, Robert Fingerhut, 57, lying unresponsive on the kitchen floor. She immediately called 911, her voice shaking with panic and distress.
"He's dead! Oh my God!" she cried to the dispatcher. When police arrived, they found Donna in a frantic state. She begged officers to check the entire house, fearing an intruder might still be present.
Law enforcement conducted a thorough search with weapons drawn but found no one inside. Curiously, there were no signs of forced entry anywhere in the home.
Robert's Fatal Wounds
Robert Fingerhut's body revealed evidence of a violent confrontation. He lay in a pool of blood with multiple gunshot wounds, including a grazing wound on his arm and a fatal shot to the back of his head.
His hands showed defensive injuries, suggesting he had fought against his attacker. Additional abrasions on his face further indicated a struggle had taken place. The kitchen walls contained bullet holes along the stairwell, likely representing missed shots during the attack.
Investigators noted several key findings:
The bullets recovered were 38 caliber
No shell casings were found at the scene
A small blood droplet was discovered in the hallway, away from the main crime scene
Robert's wallet remained on his person
No valuables had been taken from the house
Only Robert's Chrysler 300 was missing from the garage
This evidence pointed to a targeted attack rather than a robbery. As investigators began questioning Donna, she explained that she had been shopping at the time of the murder. She had spoken with Robert earlier that evening, noting he seemed unusually "short" during their conversation.
When police administered a gunshot residue test, Donna tested negative. The medical examiner placed Robert's time of death around 9:45 PM, which aligned with Donna's shopping alibi. During further questioning, Donna mentioned someone named "Santiago" - a name that would soon become significant to the investigation.
Investigation Begins
Initial Crime Scene Analysis
Detective teams arrived promptly at the Finger Hut residence on December 12, 2001, finding Donna Roberts visibly distraught. She urgently requested officers to search the property, fearing an intruder might still be present. Law enforcement conducted a thorough sweep with weapons drawn but found no suspects inside. Upon entering through the front door, investigators encountered a gruesome scene in the kitchen. Robert Finger Hut, 57, lay unresponsive in a pool of blood.
The victim's body revealed multiple traumatic injuries when examined. Robert had suffered several gunshot wounds, including a grazing injury to his arm and a fatal shot to the back of his head. Defensive wounds on his hands and facial abrasions indicated he had fought against his attacker. The kitchen walls displayed bullet holes along the stairwell, suggesting missed shots during the confrontation.
Forensic evidence included 38 caliber bullets recovered from the scene, though curiously, no shell casings were found. Blood evidence proved particularly interesting, with small droplets discovered away from the primary crime scene - including one isolated drop in the hallway that might have come from the perpetrator.
Absence of Theft Elements
The crime scene presented a puzzling contradiction to typical home invasions. Despite Robert's violent death, the house showed no signs of being ransacked or searched. Valuable items remained untouched throughout the residence - expensive watches, electronics, and other easily portable valuables were all in their proper places.
Even more telling was the discovery that Robert's wallet remained on his person, complete with its contents. This striking detail immediately raised questions about motive. As one investigator noted, "This person who came in and killed him didn't take anything but the vehicle." The absence of robbery indicators strongly suggested a crime of personal nature rather than opportunity.
The lack of forced entry further supported this theory. The perpetrator likely gained access with Robert's knowledge or permission, indicating a familiar relationship rather than a random attack.
Donna's Account of Events
After regaining her composure, Donna provided detectives with her timeline of the evening. She reported having two phone conversations with Robert earlier that night. The first call seemed unusually brief, with Robert acting "short" with her. During their second conversation, Robert told her he would be late and encouraged her to go shopping for Hanukkah gifts.
Following this advice, Donna described visiting first Giant Eagle and then Walmart for holiday shopping. Upon returning home, she noticed something unusual - the garage door had been left open, which was atypical. She pulled into the garage as normal and only discovered her husband's body after entering the house, immediately calling 911.
Investigators initially scrutinized Donna as a potential suspect, following standard protocol in domestic cases. However, gunshot residue tests showed she hadn't fired a weapon, and the medical examiner's time of death determination (approximately 9:45 PM) aligned with her shopping alibi.
The Missing Vehicle Lead
A critical early discovery was the absence of Robert's Chrysler 300 from the garage. Donna emphasized to officers that there was "no reason why the car wouldn't be here," suggesting it had been stolen by the perpetrator. Investigators quickly issued an alert for the missing vehicle, believing it might provide crucial evidence.
The theft of only the car reinforced investigators' growing suspicion that this crime wasn't motivated by financial gain. Instead, the vehicle likely served as an escape method for the killer. Lead detectives theorized that the perpetrator had been waiting inside the darkened home for Robert to return.
During subsequent interviews at the police station, Donna unexpectedly mentioned someone named "Santiago" - an individual she claimed had previously stolen from her. According to her account, Santiago had once taken a 38-caliber revolver, cash, and calling cards from her vehicle at a convenience store. This revelation drew immediate interest from investigators, as the weapon caliber matched the murder weapon.
Police quickly located Santiago for questioning, preparing to explore this potential lead in the increasingly complex investigation.
Evidence Analysis
Gunshot Residue Examination
Investigators conducted a thorough gunshot residue test on Donna Roberts immediately following the discovery of her husband's body. The results proved conclusive, showing no traces of gunshot residue on her hands or clothing. This scientific evidence strongly indicated that she had not discharged a firearm recently. Testing for gunshot residue is a standard procedure in homicide investigations involving firearms, as the microscopic particles typically transfer to the shooter's hands, arms, and clothing upon firing a weapon. The absence of these telltale particles on Donna helped move the investigation away from her as a primary suspect in the early stages of the case.
Timeline Correlation
The medical examiner's report established Robert Fingerhut's time of death at approximately 9:45 PM on December 12, 2001. This timeline perfectly aligned with Donna's account of being away from the residence at the time of the murder. According to her statements to investigators, she had spoken with Robert earlier that evening and then proceeded to go shopping at local stores including Giant Eagle and Walmart during the timeframe when the homicide occurred. Security footage and transaction records from these locations could potentially verify her whereabouts, providing her with a solid alibi. The correlation between the estimated time of death and Donna's documented absence from the home became a critical factor in redirecting the investigation toward other potential suspects.
Motive and Suspect Analysis
The investigation into Robert Fingerhut's murder quickly moved beyond the initial crime scene assessment to focus on potential motives and persons of interest. Detectives ruled out robbery as the primary objective, noting that valuable items remained untouched throughout the residence. Robert's wallet still contained money, and electronics were left behind. This pattern suggested a more targeted attack, one where the perpetrator's sole focus appeared to be Robert himself.
Potential Killer Connection
The absence of forced entry raised immediate concerns among investigators. This crucial detail suggested Robert likely knew his attacker and willingly allowed them into his home. The positioning of the crime scene further supported this theory - the darkened interior provided perfect cover for someone waiting to ambush Robert upon his return.
Detectives developed a working theory that the perpetrator had deliberately waited for Robert inside the residence. The layout of the home, particularly its dimly lit areas, created an environment where an intruder could remain hidden until Robert had ventured too far inside to escape. This level of planning indicated premeditation rather than a random act of violence.
Donna's Information About Santiago
During follow-up questioning at the police station, Donna provided investigators with an unexpected lead. She mentioned a man named Santiago who might bear relevance to the investigation. According to her account, this individual was someone she had encountered previously at the bus terminal and occasionally assisted with transportation needs.
Donna described a troubling incident involving Santiago:
She had stopped at a convenience store for cigarettes
She left her car briefly (approximately 2.5 minutes)
Items missing upon her return included:
Daily cash receipts
Robert's .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver
Calling cards
The weapon information garnered particular interest from investigators as it matched the caliber of bullets recovered from the crime scene. Donna confirmed filing a police report about the stolen items with the Warren Police Department, which investigators subsequently verified.
Police acted swiftly on this information and located Santiago for questioning. The potential connection between the previously stolen weapon and the murder weapon created a significant lead that required thorough examination.
Key Investigation Developments
Santiago's Previous Encounter
The investigation took a significant turn when Donna Roberts mentioned Santiago as a potential suspect. During her interview at the Howen police station, she recalled a prior incident involving this individual. According to Donna, Santiago frequently visited the bus terminal and occasionally requested transportation assistance. The concerning encounter occurred when Donna briefly stopped at a convenience store, leaving her car unlocked with several valuable items inside.
During her approximately 2.5-minute absence to purchase cigarettes, someone allegedly took a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver from the console of her vehicle. The thief also stole the day's cash receipts and some calling cards. Donna specifically named Santiago as the suspected perpetrator of this theft.
Verification of Theft Claim
Investigators verified that Donna had indeed filed an official report with the Warren Police Department regarding the stolen items. This documentation supported her claim about the missing .38 caliber weapon—notably the same caliber as the murder weapon used against Robert Fingerhut. The matching weapon type created a potential connection between the previous theft and the homicide.
The timing of this theft report became a critical element for investigators to consider as they examined possible motives and connections to Robert's murder. This verification added credibility to Donna's suggestion about Santiago's potential involvement.
Santiago's Police Interview
Following Donna's statement, law enforcement quickly located Santiago and brought him in for questioning. Officers informed him about the warrant filed by Donna Roberts regarding the theft allegations. During this interrogation, investigators aimed to determine if Santiago had any connection to Robert's murder or potential motive for harming either Donna or her husband.
The interrogation represented a crucial investigative step, particularly given the matching caliber of the stolen weapon and the murder weapon. Santiago's responses and alibi would significantly impact the direction of the ongoing homicide investigation.
