Tragedy Strikes Nashville Songwriter

Posted by amyclark on 08/24/2008
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4/29/2008 Lisa Ann Schleipfer It is a strange and mysterious tragedy, and the story is still unfolding. Brian Fagan, a Nashville songwriter and Country Music hit-maker, has been charged with criminal homicide, after his songwriting partner and roommate, Gaetano Thomas Oteri, was found dead in the kitchen of their shared home. Oteri was 69 years old. Fagan and Oteri had been friends for more than 30 years. It is reported that Fagan, 61, and Oteri got into an argument outside their house on Burgandy Hill Road around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. Fagan supposedly slashed Oteri’s right wrist. It is reported that both men had been drinking heavily. Almost two hours later, Fagan was picked up by police and arrested on a DUI charge. According to police, Fagan admitted to drinking six shots of alcohol before getting behind the wheel. According to Metro police spokesman Don Aaron, Fagan may not have known the knife wound was fatal. "Mr. Fagan had asked a friend to go by and check on Mr. Oteri," Aaron said. "There was no indication Mr. Fagan had any idea that Mr. Oteri was dead." Oteri's body was discovered Sunday after the friend went to his home to check on his whereabouts. Oteri is the father of former Saturday Night Live star, Cheri Oteri. At the time of his death, he was suffering from an injury to his ribs from a fall. Fagan is known for his Country songwriting hits "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" performed by Country Music artist John Michael Montgomery. Fagan also has written for artists Shania Twain, Hank Williams, Jr. and Neil Diamond. Fagan and Oteri had lived with one another for the past 10 years. Reaction amongst family and friends is one of shock and disbelief. Last week, the pair was seen dining with one another in a Nashville restaurant.