Cold Case Arrest: Suspect Nabbed in Caribbean for '92 Murder

A man who allegedly ordered the killing of his wife in 1992 in La Mirada was arrested in Antigua, and has been returned to the United States to face prosecution, authorities said today.

Morrad Ghonim, 44, was extradited to Florida on Saturday, and is awaiting extradition to California, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John Corina said.

Ghonim allegedly hired Leon Martinez to kill his 17-year-old wife Maria Ghonim, who was fatally shot in La Mirada Creek Park on July 23, 1992, Corina said.

Martinez, 42, was convicted of the killing in March of this year, Corina said.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that the victim’s husband, Morrad Ghonim ... was no longer living in the United States, but was now living in Antigua,” Corina said.

Antigua is an island in the Caribbean.

“An arrest warrant for suspect Ghonim was obtained,” Corina said. “With assistance from the United States Marshals (Service) and the Royal Police Force of Antigua, Ghonim was detained and (was) extradited back to Miami on Saturday.”

Ghonim was booked on suspicion of murder by the Miami Dade Police Department, and was being held without bail, pending his extradition to California, Corina said.

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