Murder suspect found in Canada

A man accused of sexually assaulting and killing a Huntington Beach resident in 1984 was arrested this week in Canada, according to Toronto police. He was only recently identified as a suspect in the 23-year cold case by forensic evidence.

Canadian citizen Geraldo Go, 51, is suspected of entering a woman’s home, sexually assaulting her and killing her on Nov. 14, 1984, Toronto police Staff Sgt. Paul MacIntyre said.

Though officials would not yet confirm the name, a Nov. 16, 1984, Los Angeles Times story tells how Elizabeth May Hoffschneider was found strangled on her bed in her apartment, where she lived alone, after she failed to show up at her job as office manager at a medical supply business in Fountain Valley. She was 38.

The Times reported there were no signs of forced entry, but neighbors had heard gagging sounds for three minutes at about 7:30 p.m. the night she died.

Go was arrested by the Toronto police fugitive squad at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, MacIntyre said. Orange County district attorney officials said they could not release the name of the victim Wednesday because the prosecuting attorney who had the information was busy defending her house from encroaching wildfires.

Huntington Beach police declined comment until they had the chance to confer with prosecutors.

Go is scheduled to face extradition proceedings to bring him to the United States for prosecution. Orange County Superior Court records show a murder charge for Go and list him as a fugitive with a warrant for arrest. The records state the date of the killing as Nov. 14, 1984. There was a hearing on “further proceedings” in the case Oct. 19, 2007.

Because Go is a Canadian citizen, he could potentially fight extradition to the United States, MacIntyre said. But if Go doesn’t resist, he could be facing charges in Orange County very soon, MacIntyre added.