ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Remains Believed To Be Missing Woman Found; Delta Man Charged With Abduction, Aggravated Murder





This was the scene Friday afternoon, July 22, in front of the Co. Rd. 6 home of James Dean Worley, 57, as Fulton County sheriff deputies, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation officials, and others searched the property for evidence in connection with the disappearance of Sierah Joughin, 20. Note the Delta Fire Department rescue boat, a BCI mobile crime lab, and an American Red Cross vehicle in the photo. Worley is charged with single counts of abduction and aggravated murder in the case.– photo by David Pugh

This was the scene Friday afternoon, July 22, in front of the Co. Rd. 6 home of James Dean Worley, 57, as Fulton County sheriff deputies, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation officials, and others searched the property for evidence in connection with the disappearance of Sierah Joughin, 20. Note the Delta Fire Department rescue boat, a BCI mobile crime lab, and an American Red Cross vehicle in the photo. Worley is charged with single counts of abduction and aggravated murder in the case.– photo by David Pugh

James Worley, 57, of 10627 Co. Rd. 6, has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of Sierah Joughin, rural Metamora.

Joughin, 20, went missing Tuesday, July 19, after she failed to return from a bike ride.

Worley is being held at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio without bond.

Joughin was last seen in the area of the Evergreen schools along Co. Rd. 6 about 6:45 pm on Tuesday, July 19.

After she did not return home, she was reported missing to the Fulton County Sheriff Department at about 11 pm.

About midnight, her bicycle was found, about three or four rows back in a cornfield along Co. Rd. 6.

Roy Miller, Fulton County sheriff, said, “There was a disturbance near the bike. There was some corn knocked down and such.”

Searchers, including 60 or more firefighters from several county departments, including Archbold, were called out Tuesday night.

About 4:30 am, Wednesday, July 20, FCSD officials issued a flyer on Joughin’s disappearance. The news spread on social media and other sources.

Sierah Joughin

Sierah Joughin

Wednesday

Several agencies, including the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, were involved in the search for Joughin by Wednesday.

When asked on Wednesday whether there was something suspicious about Joughin’s disappearance, Miller said, “As I told you guys (media) earlier, obviously the FBI and the BCI wouldn’t be involved if we didn’t think there was some kind of issue.”

A helicopter, a drone (small, remote-controlled aircraft), and other assets were used to search for Joughin. A special search dog came from central Ohio to work on the case.

The Michigan State Police, Lenawee County (Mich.) Sheriff Department, and the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force (MAN Unit) also were involved in the search.

Community residents began posting flyers asking for information about Joughin’s whereabouts.

James Worley

James Worley

Thursday

By Thursday afternoon, July 21, Miller said searchers had physically looked over 50 to 75 acres of ground.

“That’s boots on the ground. With the airplane, it’s close to 1,000,” Miller said.

Some areas had been searched three and four times. Miller said a potential crime scene can look different in different light at different times of day.

A private citizen put up a $25,000 reward for Joughin’s return. It was later increased to $100,000.

Arrest

On Friday morning, July 22, word broke that a man, identified as James Dean Worley, 57, of 10627 Co. Rd. 6, just a few miles south of the Evergreen schools, was arrested on a charge of abduction.

He was arraigned in Fulton County Western District Court early that afternoon.

Jeffrey Robinson, West District Court judge, ordered Worley be held without bond at CCNO.

Roy Miller, Fulton County Sheriff, speaks to reporters during a Friday, July 22 press conference.– photo by David Pugh

Roy Miller, Fulton County Sheriff, speaks to reporters during a Friday, July 22 press conference.– photo by David Pugh

A preliminary hearing is set for today, Wednesday, 1:15 pm, in the Fulton County common pleas courtroom.

Robinson said he was hearing the case against Worley because Colin McQuade, Eastern District Court judge, was on vacation and unavailable.

At a press conference, Miller confirmed Worley was arrested in connection with Joughin’s disappearance.

He declined to provide details of what led officials to Worley, other than the arrest was made through “good, old-fashioned police work,” including interviews and canvassing of the area.

Searchers concentrated their efforts on Worley’s Co. Rd. 6 property, which includes a small pond.

A diver and a boat were observed outside the property; reports said an excavator was there as well.

Miller said law enforcement officers were searching the property for evidence.

Aggravated Murder Charge

Yesterday, Tuesday, a check of Fulton County court records showed an aggravated murder charge was filed against Worley.

A spokesman for the Fulton County Eastern District Court, where the charges were filed, said the murder charge against Worley was file stamped at 11:17 am, by Eastern District Court clerks.

Discovery

On Saturday, Miller announced the discovery of remains, which law enforcement officials “strongly believed” were those of Joughin.

He said the remains were discovered around 6 pm, Friday evening, in the area of Co. Rd. 7.

They were taken to the Lucas County Coroner Office for an autopsy, which, reports say, started Monday.

Miller said, “This investigation is far from over. We are continuing to canvas other areas that weren’t covered (Friday) to search for more evidence.

“We do anticipate additional charges against the suspect.

A statement from Joughin’s family said in part, “Sierah had a contagious smile. She was a loving person who has touched many people in her life. She is our daughter, a niece, a granddaughter, a cousin, a girlfriend.

“We miss her and love her.”–David Pugh


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