LANCASTER, PA – A Lancaster County man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting his estranged wife and her elderly aunt during a family argument that spiraled out of control last fall, authorities said.

Santiago Payano-Sanchez, 64, received two consecutive life sentences without parole on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal homicide. Judge Jeffrey Conrad handed down the sentence in Lancaster County Court, also imposing an additional 20 to 40 years behind bars for related charges, including attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

The shootings occurred on the night of October 5, 2025, inside a home on Oak Hollow Drive in West Hempfield Township, about 90 miles west of Philadelphia. The tragic incident began with a dispute over dinner preparations, according to prosecutors, and ended with two lives lost and a third victim left with serious injuries.

Payano-Sanchez’s estranged wife, 59-year-old Ana Gutierrez-Cedano, and her aunt, 74-year-old Dominga Cedano-Cedano, were both killed at the scene. Authorities said the defendant’s 33-year-old son, who tried to intervene and disarm Payano-Sanchez, was shot in the stomach but survived. He continues to suffer from lasting injuries due to bullet fragments that remain lodged in his body.

Investigators say the altercation escalated rapidly. During the sentencing, prosecutors described how Payano-Sanchez shot his wheelchair-bound wife before turning the weapon on his son. He then went upstairs and fatally shot the older woman. Two young children, ages 2 and 7, were present in the home during the violence but were not physically harmed.

Responding officers prepared for a possible standoff, with reports indicating Payano-Sanchez had barricaded himself inside. However, he ultimately surrendered without further incident.

In addition to the homicide charges, Payano-Sanchez pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children and possession of an instrument of crime. The court ordered over $11,000 in restitution to the families of the victims and prohibited future contact between the defendant and his relatives.

Family members of the victims addressed the court through personal statements, describing the deep and lasting pain the killings have caused. One letter, written by the daughter of the older victim, described an unfillable void and trauma the family will carry forever. Another account from the younger victim’s daughter cited ongoing grief, post-traumatic stress, and sleepless nights since the tragedy.

When given the opportunity to speak, Payano-Sanchez expressed remorse and said he could not explain his actions. He asked for forgiveness from his family, acknowledging the severity of his actions and his acceptance of the court’s punishment.

Authorities emphasized the senselessness of the violence that erupted from a domestic disagreement. With Friday’s sentencing, Payano-Sanchez will spend the rest of his life in state prison, with no possibility of parole.