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Cheri Oteri’s father killed by songwriter partner in drunken argument

April 29th, 2008 by Scott Marks

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Tom Oteri, 69, left, was slain over the weekend, and Richard Fagan, 61, is charged with criminal homicide

Gaetano Thomas Oteri, 69, bled to death after being slashed with a penknife by his friend, roommate and business associate Richard Fagan.

During a drunken barroom altercation, Fagan, 61, cut Oteri’s right wrist with a 4- to 6-inch-long pocket knife. The gash was severe enough to cause significant bleeding, but police believe that Fagan left the bar not knowing the wound was fatal.

According to the Tenneseean, while in jail Fagan called another friend to check on Oteri. That unidentified friend went to the home, noticed that something was awry and called for help. Paramedics found Oteri’s body in the kitchen and a significant amount of blood inside the house. Police then arrested Fagan, who had been released on bond at 2:15 p.m. Sunday. He was with his bail bondsman when arrested.

Fagan and Oteri had been roommates for more than 10 years and shared in numerous musical successes. Oteri, known as “Tom,” was a music publisher and president of Of Music. Fagan, who worked as the manager of Of, had notable success as a songwriter, with songs that were cut by artists such as Neil Diamond, Shania Twain and Hank Williams, Jr.

Oteri’s bio had this to say about Richard Fagan: “Many years ago when Fagan was down and out, it was Tommy who took him him and put him on a path to songwriting stardom. Rich was once a street-person, even a drugged-out alcoholic, who now is a highly- disciplined and successful writer. I know Rich would be first to credit Tommy for that transformation.”

Tom Oteri was the father of former Saturday Night Live cast member Cheri Oteri. Ms. Oteri was on her way to Nashville from out of state on Monday afternoon. Two more of Oteri’s children were also traveling to Nashville, said Brian Oteri, who called The Tennessean and said he was Oteri’s son.


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Filed Under News, Obituaries