HILO, HAWAII – Andrew I. Griffin, 32, is set to be extradited from Hawaii to Ohio to face two counts of Aggravated Murder in connection to the 2021 deaths of Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion. The announcement was made by Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen following Griffin’s arrest at a Home Depot in Hilo on February 18, 2025.
The Strussions were found dead on September 21, 2021, following a fire at their residence near Pancoast Road, between Morristown and Lloydsville, close to the Pine Lake Mobile Home Park in Belmont County, Ohio. Former Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas ruled their deaths as homicides just four days later.
The Strussions were the owners of Salsa Joe’s, a restaurant located at 43920 National Road in Lloydsville. Initially established in Texas, the couple partnered with Griffin in 2021 to open a second location in Elm Grove. The Lloydsville location later became My Way Café & Lounge, which closed in November 2024.
Following the homicides, Griffin disappeared. He was later located and arrested in Texas on outstanding charges from Oklahoma.
On Friday, Griffin appeared in Hilo Circuit Court for extradition proceedings. Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department and Fingerprint Classifier Suzanne Kong provided testimony, leading the court to determine that Griffin was indeed the fugitive sought by Ohio authorities. The court granted the writ of extradition and order of commitment, ordering Griffin to return to court on March 24, 2025, if his extradition to Ohio is not completed by that date. Griffin remains in custody without bail.
The extradition investigation was spearheaded by Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua, while Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Lester handled the legal proceedings.
“We offer our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “Our Office has been in contact with the Belmont County Sheriff’s and Prosecutors’ Offices to coordinate Griffin’s extradition back to Ohio.”
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney reaffirms its commitment to pursuing justice with integrity. Anyone with information that could assist local law enforcement is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
