Orange County Official’s Secretary Killed

The executive secretary of a new Orange County supervisor was killed in the foyer of her home by an arrow through the heart.

Arlene Michele Hoffman, 57, a recently hired aide to Supervisor Jim Silva, bled to death last Friday on the floor of her home, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini.

Detectives would not discuss the investigation.

The arrow had been removed from Hoffman’s body. Neither it nor the bow was found.

There were no signs of burglary or other assault, police said.

Hoffman was a Silva volunteer during last year’s campaign and was hired as his executive secretary after his election.

Silva said he got alarmed after she missed the first staff meeting a week ago and asked the sheriff’s department to check on her.

Hoffman’s husband died in March after a long battle with lung cancer.

A 25-year-old son lives in Orange County.