The Fight to Bring Claudia Hoerig to Justice

On March 12, 2007, Claudia Hoerig fled the United States after she allegedly shot her husband Karl in cold blood. Karl Hoerig was a decorated member of the Air Force Reserve and had flown over 200 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a private pilot for Southwest Airlines, Karl and Claudia Hoerig were entitled to free airfare. Claudia took advantage of this benefit after the murder to flee to her home country of Brazil.

Claudia Hoerig has remained on the run from justice since 2007, avoiding trial by taking advantage of a provision in the Brazilian constitution that bans extradition of any Brazilian citizen. This provision in the Brazilian constitution was added after a 1961 treaty in which Brazil promised to extradite criminals such as Hoerig to the U.S.

Congressman Tim Ryan has introduced the following legislation to encourage Brazil to honor the treaty and send Hoerig home for trial.

House Resolution

Since 2007, Congressman Tim Ryan has written several letters to Brazilian and American authorities requesting assistance in the fight to bring Claudia Hoerig to justice. Those letters are reprinted below.

Letters Sent:

May 4, 2007 letter to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

May 4, 2007 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice

November 20, 2007 letter to Brazilian Foreign Minister Amorim

November 27, 2007 letter to Brazilian Ambassador Patriota

November 29, 2007 letter to Brazilian Ambassador Patriota

April 21, 2008 letter to Brazilian Ambassador Patriota

April 21, 2008 letter to Brazilian Chamber of Deputies President Arlindo Chinaglia

April 21, 2008 letter to Brazilian President Lula da Silva

April 21, 2008 letter to President of the Senate Garilbaldi Alves

April 21, 2008 letter to U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobrel

April 21, 2008 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice

March 4, 2009 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton