Two Iowa teens are behind bars after they allegedly killed their Spanish teacher as she took an afternoon walk in Fairfield’s Chautauqua Park on Tuesday.
Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16, are facing murder charges as adults for the death of 66-year-old Nohema Graber. Both teens were students at Fairfield High School, where Graber had been teaching Spanish since 2012, the Des Moines Register reports.
According to a criminal complaint, both suspects appeared to know the specific details regarding Graber’s death, as allegedly evidenced through a social media exchange. The exchange included how the teacher died, Miller’s involvement, and the motive, although authorities have not released information on a specific motive.
Investigators obtained search warrants for both suspects’ homes and found clothing that appeared to have blood on them. A witness who knew the suspects told police they saw the suspects at the park on Tuesday.
Miller ultimately admitted he was at the park and gave investigators details on how the crime happened and how it was covered up, according to the criminal complaint.
“A search warrant was then executed by Jefferson County police, who searched Goodale’s residence, uncovering ‘multiple clothing items appearing to have a substance consistent in appearance with that of blood,” the complaint read.
Police found Graber’s body “concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties.” The criminal complaint stated Graber had head trauma.
“I’m sorry I can’t respond to the all of the messages but I’ll just say what I’ve been told. My mother passed away,” Graber’s son, Christian, posted on Facebook. “As I understand it was pre attempted murder by two students. I forgive them and feel sorry that they had that anger in their hearts.”
“There’s no point in being angry at them. We should hope that they can find peace in their lives. My mother was an angel of a woman and was one of the kindest souls. She gave me the gift of the Spanish language and helped many of her students over the years. She was well loved in the community and around the world.”
Both suspects remain behind bars without bail.
A vigil is planned for Graber on Friday evening at Fairfield High School, at 7 p.m.
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[Feature Photo: Jeremy Goodale, left, and Willard Miller/Police Handout; Center, Nohema Graber/Facebook]
