Born on February 11, 1996, Sierah Joughin grew up in the rural Ohio community of Delta and graduated from Evergreen High School in 2014. After high school, she enrolled at the University of Toledo, but before her junior year, she made the decision to complete her studies at home. It was said of Sierah that she was outgoing, self-assured, and at ease with herself.
The Disappearance of Sierah Joughin
Sierah informed her mother that she would be riding her bike to her lover Josh’s place on July 19, 2016. According to Sierah’s mother Sheila, she departed around 5:00 p.m., eager to ride the new bike she had recently purchased from a garage sale.
Sierah and her mom Sheila
Sierah and her mom Sheila
Sheila left for a lesson and arrived home at 9:30., and by the time she showed up at the house Sierah’s room light wasn’t on, her mum claimed. At first, she didn’t give it a second thought and assumed she was still at Josh’s place.
Josh called Sheila around 10:30 p.m. and inquired about Sierah’s whereabouts. She reportedly left his residence before 7 o’clock, but he said he was unable to reach her. Sierah usually answered her phone, so it was strange. As soon as possible, her family contacted all of her friends, posted on Facebook, and dialed nearby hospitals. About four hours later, they made a police call.
The Investigation
Josh, Sierah’s boyfriend, was the primary person the police and FBI sought to talk with. As they reportedly left his house at 6:43 p.m., Josh claimed that he rode his motorcycle next to her bicycle. According to Josh, they parted ways as soon as they got close to her house. After that, he had trouble reaching her for several hours.
Sierah and Josh, and a photo taken by Josh, on the day she disappeared.
The detective investigating the matter about midnight found that a maize stalk had been knocked to the ground. He exited his vehicle and made his way into the cornfield. A tiny fuse box was discovered, and there was a strong gas odor.
Men’s sunglasses and Sierah’s bike were recovered after the officer continued his search. The bike’s seat and handlebars were covered with blood streaks. Both Sierah’s green sock and a screwdriver with an orange handle and blood on it were discovered, and according to the police, Sierah was kidnapped.
The First Suspect
The policeman had also seen motorcycle tire prints on the road leading into a ditch. When a local farmer discovered a motorbike helmet, he alerted the police. Both the inside and outside of the helmet were covered in blood. When they arrived at his place, he gave them permission to search his home, truck, motorcycle, and clothes. They did discover bloody coveralls, but it was actually hunting-related animal blood.
Josh, who maintained he would never have hurt her, was exonerated of all suspicion. Someday, he intended to wed Sierah. Although he seemed to be furious, he acknowledged that the police had to investigate all viable leads and suspects.
A few days later, James Worley was located pursuant to the investigation. He shared an acre of property with his mother. Around the main house, the property also contained a number of barns. James was interviewed by a group of agents who visited the house.
James Worley standing next to an officer
James became furious as soon as they got there. He was informed by the police that they were there because a girl was missing. I’m not out here killing chicks, James declared. He however gave permission for them to search the premises.
One of the agents saw that the dirt had just been raked on one end of James’ barn. A wooden green box with chicken wire was discovered after some of the hay bales were lifted. There was underwear with blood on it inside the package along with some lingerie. The police searched the property as they took James to the police station for interrogation.
James claimed he didn’t know Sierah and had never even seen her throughout his interview. He explained to the police that the things in the package were for a concept he was developing for a pornographic production.
Behind some plywood in the barn, the cops discovered a freezer, an air mattress, and sexual equipment. Although Sierah wasn’t discovered in the freezer, the investigators suspected it had been cleaned out because it had a bleach-like odour.
James had a response for every situation. The mattress was for camping, he explained. In addition, they discovered rope, duct tape, zip ties, and a ski mask. There was no place on that property where Sierah was.
On July 22, she was discovered in a small grave. She was restrained, wearing an adult diaper, and had a gag in her mouth. Her underwear was the one discovered in James’ barn. Asphyxiation had been the cause of Sierah’s death, and there were no indications of a sexual assault.
Arrest and Conviction
James was charged with homicide and kidnapping on the same day that Sierah’s body was found and was taken into custody
According to the prosecution, James observed Sierah riding her bike on July 16 and hit her with his helmet. She had a hairline fracture on her skull, a shred of evidence that she had been struck. After tying her up in the field, he returned home to collect his truck before returning with her. The air mattress, the underpants, and a piece of duct tape all had Sierah’s DNA. James’ DNA was also present on the cassette. The handcuffs that were put on Sierah included a key as well. On his keychain, Jimmy carried a key that matched.
James Worley sentenced to death
James Worley was found guilty on 19 counts, including aggravated murder, on March 27, 2018. He was given a death sentence, but after appealing, a temporary stay of execution was granted.
His sentence was upheld in July 2020.
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