Two white teen students face homicide for the killing of Spanish teacher in SouthEast Iowa

The two juveniles will be tried as adults and the horrendous crime is believed to be racially motivated

By Edward Era Barbacena

Two 16-year-old students were charged with homicide in the death of a high school teacher whose body was found concealed in a park in southeast Iowa, authorities said Thursday.   

Investigators said Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old Spanish teacher at Fairfield High School, was reported missing on Tuesday and her remains were found later that day at the Chautauqua Park in Fairfield, located about 95 miles southeast of Des Moines, The Ottumwa Courier reported.

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett 

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16, and students at the school, have been charged as adults with first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit first-degree homicide, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department said. 

Authorities said the two juveniles will be tried as adults, citing circumstances and their ages. They are both being held on a $1 million bail, records show. 

Court documents filed Thursday from their initial appearance in court indicate they did not yet have attorneys. Both appeared via video conference. 

Magistrate Stephan Small ordered a state public defender to represent Goodale. Documents said Miller did not request a court-appointed attorney and it wasn't immediately clear who would represent him. 

According to court filings made public Thursday afternoon, Graber suffered 'inflicted trauma to the head.' Her body was found concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties at the park, where she frequently walked in the afternoons. 

It's believed the crime was carried out late Tuesday afternoon

Police received a tip that Goodale posted details about planning the killing and a possible motive on social media, according to court documents. The court filings did not detail the possible motive.

A search warrant at the suspects' homes uncovered clothing items that appeared to have blood on them, police said. 

Police confronted Miller, who 'admitted to being in Chautauqua City Park as the murder was taking place,' a criminal complaint states, 'providing materials utilized in committing the murder, and aiding in actions taken to conceal the murder.' 

Nohema Graber

Graber, originally from Xalapa Mexico, taught Spanish classes at Fairfield High School since 2012, though it was not disclosed whether she had been the teens' teacher. She previously taught in the Ottumwa Community School District. 

'An act like this is unspeakable, and we are torn that one of our education family is a victim to such a senseless act,' a statement from Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek read.

'Every day educators work tirelessly to protect the students in their care. With full hearts and deep commitment, educators have been the backbone of our state and our nation during this unprecedented time. We cannot understand this, or any violence aimed at such guardians.' 

Fairfield students were dismissed from classes Thursday and all classes on Friday were canceled, the district said. The school said its counseling services will remain open for students and staff.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mrs. Graber,' Fairfield superintendent Laurie Noll said in a statement Thursday. 'At this time our students' and staffs' wellbeing is our top priority. As a community, we will remain united in this time of tragedy.'

The investigation remains ongoing, with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisting the Fairfield Police Department, Fairfield Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson County Attorney's Office. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Nov. 12 for Miller and at 11:30a.m. the same day for Goodale at the Jefferson County Courthouse.