With the announcement of Brazil hosting the Olympics, being on the world stage could put pressure on Brazil to send Claudia Hoerig back to the U.S. so she can finally stand trial for the murder she allegedly committed two-and-a-half years ago. The following is a time line of significant events that have occurred during that period.
In March of 2007, police are called to a Newton Falls home on Ninth Street after friends of 44-year-old Karl Hoerig were not able to contact him. The county coroner says he was murdered, shot three times in the back of the head. Hoerig was a long-time, well-known resident of Newton Falls, pilot for SouthWest Airlines and a Major for the 910th Air Force Reserves where he flew C-130 military transports. He was a decorated combat veteran with 24-years of military service. Police locate his car out of state and begin searching for his wife, Claudia.
In April of 2007, police say Claudia Hoerig killed her husband. They believe she fled to Brazil following the murder. Trumbull County prosecutors, along with the United States Marshalls Office, say that bringing her back to Ohio to face murder charges is proving to be difficult, because of a treaty in place that protects those who flee to Brazil. Officials begin working with local legislators and lawmakers in Washington, to bring Claudia back to Trumbull County where she will face charges.
In September of 2007, the case of Karl Hoerig gets more national attention. America's Most Wanted comes to the Valley to film a segment on the case. The main suspect, Karl's wife Claudia, is believed to have fled to Brazil. Authorities from Trumbull County and the U.S. Marshall Service begin working with the show to get tips on Claudia's whereabouts.
In December of 2007, federal and state officials begin talks about changing the United States treaty with Brazil. Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is disappointed that Brazilian officials are not cooperating with the United States. Congressman Tim Ryan meets with officials from Brazil to discuss the matter, but the country has refused to extradite Claudia Hoerig. A murder indictment has been issued for her.
In February of 2008, the U.S. Marshal Service obtains a federal warrant to arrest Claudia Hoerig for "unlawful flight," but Hoerig is a native of Brazil and her government won't extradite her.
In April of 2008, the case receives attention in the halls of Congress. John Brown of Youngstown, the national commander of AMVETS, speaks to the Joint Special Committee on Veterans' Affairs in Washington. He mentions the murder of Major Karl Hoerig in Newton Falls and the escape of Hoerig's wife, Claudia to her native Brazil.
In January of 2009, a Brazilian television crew comes to town, gathering information on the murder of Hoerig. They visit with Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and members of Hoerig's family. The Brazilian news crew says very little has been done on the case in their country, but Watkins hopes the media attention will encourage officials there to finally bring the murderer to justice.
In February of 2009, the Trumbull County Prosecutor asks the White House for help in getting Claudia Hoerig back to the U.S. Dennis Watkins writes a letter to President Obama, asking him to seek the extradition of Hoerig.
In March, 2009, Congressmen Tim Ryan and John Boccieri (Boccieri flew with Major Hoerig in the 910th airlift wing) send a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking for help. They request an extradition hearing for Claudia Hoerig, suspected in the murder of her husband. The Congressmen believe Clinton can help after she recently talked about a child-custody case involving Brazil. In addition, the Brazilian news runs the story on the murder and the international attention on the murder case gives local officials hope that Brazilian officials will extradite Claudia back to the U.S. to stand trial.
In June, 2009, Congressmen Tim Ryan and John Boccieri place an amendment onto a foreign relations bill that asks Congress to work with the Brazilian government to extradite Hoerig back to Ohio. The bill passes the House and now goes to the Senate. The case also receives national attention when America's Most Wanted spotlighted the Newton Falls murder case during their televised show.
Presently, a group in Trumbull County is calling for a boycott of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil until the country sends back the woman suspected of murdering Karl Hoerig.
