FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Authorities in San Mateo County say a 43-year-old cold case that haunted the Bay Area community for decades has finally been solved. Patrick Galvani, 81, was arrested and charged with murder in the 1982 killing of his wife, 36-year-old Nancy Galvani, whose body was found floating in the San Francisco Bay inside a sleeping bag weighted down with a cinderblock.
Decades-Old Mystery Resurfaces
Nancy’s death shocked residents of Foster City when her body was discovered near the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in August 1982. At the time, detectives determined she had been placed in a sleeping bag with a cinderblock attached, a chilling detail that indicated a deliberate effort to conceal the crime.
Prosecutors now say new witness testimony has revived the case — testimony they believe directly implicates her husband.
“He’s 81 years old now, but Mr. Galvani will hopefully finally see justice occur for what we believe happened 43 years ago,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Troubled Marriage and Initial Investigation
Court records reveal that in the weeks before her death, Nancy had told friends and family she feared for her life. She had reportedly filed for divorce, claiming that Patrick had threatened to kill her.
Police arrested Galvani shortly after her body was discovered, but then-District Attorney Keith Sorenson dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence and the loss of key witnesses.
Wagstaffe, who worked in the office at that time, recalled the decision as “disappointing, but necessary.”
“There were witnesses crucial to the case who had moved away,” he said. “We all realized it was the right call then, even if it was frustrating.”
New Witnesses Come Forward
Recent breakthroughs came when cold case investigators reconnected with witnesses who are now willing to testify. Wagstaffe described their recollections as “remarkably detailed,” even after four decades.
Authorities have not disclosed the specific new evidence but confirmed that it was substantial enough to file charges once again.
Defense Maintains Innocence
Galvani appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court on Tuesday wearing an orange jail uniform, where he was formally arraigned on one count of homicide. His attorney, Douglas Horngrad, maintains his client’s innocence.
“Mr. Galvani is innocent,” Horngrad said in a statement. “This same murder charge was filed years ago and dismissed for lack of evidence. The evidence has not changed, and we believe he will be exonerated again.”
Galvani’s arraignment has been continued until December 5, when prosecutors will formally present their case to the court.
A Community Still Haunted
Foster City Mayor Stacy Jimenez said the case has long cast a shadow over an otherwise peaceful community.
“Foster City is such an incredibly safe place, so when something like this happens, it never really fades from memory,” she said.
For the first time in 43 years, Nancy Galvani’s family may soon see justice served.
Stay tuned to HonkNews.com for continuing coverage of this developing case and updates following Galvani’s next court appearance.