Defendant Arraigned for Cold Case Murder that Occurred Over Half a Century Ago - Justice Has No Expiration Date 

February 12, 2026 – San Diego County District Attorney’s Office reports that more than 50 years after the brutal 1975 murder of Edmund Lafave in North Park, a suspect has been extradited to San Diego and arraigned on a murder charge. This case is a powerful reminder that cold cases are never forgotten and that advancements in forensic genetic genealogy continue to help investigators identify suspects and seek justice for victims and their families.

71-year-old Johnnie Salisbury was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court after being arrested in Indiana last month and extradited to San Diego to be held accountable for his crime.

In 1975, Salisbury brutally beat and stabbed 34-year-old Edmund LaFave in his own home on Suncrest avenue. LaFave’s lifeless body was found in a pool of blood in his bedroom at his residence in the 2900 block of Suncrest Drive on February 25, 1975.

“Sometimes we have to wait decades to deliver justice on behalf of a murder victim, but the key is to never give up on justice,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “This defendant got away with murder for more than half a century, but thanks to the dedication of law enforcement is now being held to account for his brutal crime. This is an outstanding example of how modern science, combined with a commitment to solving cold case murders, can lead to a just result. I want to thank the entire team who worked on this case and never gave up searching for this killer.”

Thank you to our Cold Case Unit, CHARGE program team, SDPD, and forensic experts whose dedication and innovation helped bring this case forward.

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Source: San Diego County District Attorney’s Office