2 Iowa teens charged in death of teacher at their school
FAIRFIELD, Iowa Nov 7 2021 The Jefferson County Attorney said Thursday that human remains discovered in a park in Fairfield, Iowa, belong to a woman who was reported missing Wednesday and that two teens have been charged in her death.
County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said in a news release that the remains found in Chautauqua Park have been confirmed to be those of Nohema Graber. The Fairfield School District website shows Graber has been teaching Spanish at the school since 2012.
Moulding said agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation conducted a preliminary investigation and ruled the death a homicide.
Court documents show Graber suffered from an injury to her head, and her body was found under a tarp. A police report states the suspects had items with blood on them.
Two teens have been charged in the investigation. Willard Noble Chaiden Miller, 16, and Jeremy Everett Goodale, 16, have been charged with first-degree homicide and first-degree conspiracy to commit homicide.
“Graber was employed as a Spanish teacher at Fairfield High School, where Miller and Goodale were students. Based on the circumstances and their ages, Miller and Goodale are being criminally charged as adults,” Moulding said.
Moulding said law enforcement does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
Miller and Goodale will be making their court appearance on Nov. 12. Both are being held on $1 million cash bonds.
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Noll released a statement to families and staff stating the school would not be in session Friday and school counselors and crisis response teams would be available.
In the statement Noll said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mrs. Graber. At this time our students’ and staffs’ well-being is our top priority. As a community, we will remain united in this time of tragedy.”
