WARREN, Ohio — The family of a local military hero, who was murdered more than 10 years ago, may be getting closer to having the suspect face trial.
The US Marshals Service brought Claudia Hoerig back to the United States. She is now in the Trumbull County jail.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who worked on this case for 10 years, said Claudia Hoerig will be in court Friday in Trumbull County for the murder of her husband, Karl Hoerig.
Karl Hoerig was killed in his Newton Falls home in 2007.
Watkins has said Claudia Hoerig, shortly after shooting her husband, and emptying their bank accounts, fled to Brazil. She was able to avoid facing U.S. charges because Brazil’s constitution prohibits the extradition of Brazilian nationals.
Then in 2016, after pressure from U.S. officials including Congressman Tim Ryan, a Brazilian judge ordered Claudia Hoerig to be taken into custody.
Watkins wrote in a press release on Wednesday that Hoerig was returned to Trumbull County on January 17 in accordance with an extradition treaty between the United States and Brazil.
Congressman Ryan, who worked for a decade to help get Hoerig back to the United States, told FOX 8 News: “I am thrilled for the family that they can get justice.”
Here is the congressman’s entire statement:
“It has been over 10 years since Claudia Hoerig murdered her husband, Major Karl Hoerig, in cold blood before fleeing the country to her native Brazil. Since then, our community has remained steadfast in its quest for justice. Tonight, a major development in that journey took place when Claudia Hoerig was extradited from Brazil and booked into the Trumbull County Jail. She will finally face justice for her despicable act. I am overjoyed that we are one step big closer to bringing closure to Karl’s family and friends, but mindful that today’s news is bittersweet. No matter what happens to Claudia, our community and Karl’s family is still missing a good man. Tonight I am happy to be making progress, and grateful for the hard work of the countless individuals who have worked tirelessly to get to this point.”
