Police arrest Indiana man for a killing in North Park half a century ago

A 71-year-old man suspected of murdering a North Park resident more than a half-century ago was arrested this week in the Midwest, authorities reported Thursday.

Johnnie Salisbury of Syracuse, Indiana, was taken into custody Wednesday for allegedly killing 34-year-old Edmund LaFave, whose lifeless body was found in a pool of blood in his bedroom at his residence in the 2900 block of Suncrest Drive on Feb. 25, 1975, according to the San Diego Police Department.

LaFave had been severely beaten and repeatedly stabbed, SDPD acting Lt. Chris Leahy said.

“Despite an exhaustive investigation at the onset of the case, it eventually went cold,” Leahy said. “Various cold-case investigators have reviewed the case over the years, with no resolution.”

Investigators identified Salisbury as LaFave’s alleged killer via genetic genealogy, which combines DNA testing with analysis of family histories and other forensic evidence, according to Leahy.

Police have disclosed no suspected motive for the homicide.

Salisbury is being held at Kosciusko County in Warsaw, Indiana, pending an extradition hearing.