Ohio congressmen urge extradition of murder suspect from Brazil

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Reps. John Boccieri of Alliance, D-16th, and Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, have introduced a resolution calling for Brazil to extradite a woman suspected of murdering her husband and fleeing to her homeland.

Prosecutors say Claudia Hoerig fatally shot 44-year-old Karl Hoerig at their Newton Falls home in 2007.

Boccieri and Ryan said in a statement Wednesday that they hope to draw attention to the case and push Brazil to honor an extradition treaty.

Earlier this year, Ryan and Boccieri sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking for her immediate assistance in obtaining an extradition hearing for Claudia Hoerig.

A federal warrant charges Claudia Hoerig with fleeing to avoid prosecution. A U.S. ambassador has said she has U.S. citizenship but cannot be extradited because she was born in Brazil.

Ryan has advocated for her extradition, and Boccieri served with Karl Hoerig in the Air Force.