These are the two 16-year-old boys accused of murdering their high school Spanish teacher in a park, then dumping her remains under a wheelbarrow.
Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale have both been charged as adults for the first-degree murder of 66 year-old Nohema Graber, who was found dead in the sleepy Iowa town of Fairfield on November 3.
Graber taught the pair Spanish at the nearby Fairfield High School, with her son Christian and daughter Nohema both taking to Facebook in the aftermath of their mom’s killing to say they’d forgiven her alleged murderers.
Their mugshots were released Thursday night, with cops saying the pair plotted the pre-meditated murder of Graber as she took one of her regular strolls through Chautauqua Park on Tuesday.
Graber was last seen alive on November 2, was reported missing by her concerned family the next morning, with her remains found under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties on November 3.
These are the two 16-year-old boys accused of killing their high school teacher and concealing her corpse in a park in southeast Iowa. Willard Noble Chaiden Miller (left) and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16, have been charged as adults with first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit first-degree homicide
She had suffered head trauma, although a cause of death hasn’t been revealed.
Cops have said the killing was pre-meditated, but have not revealed a motive.
They also allege that Miller and Goodale discussed the murder on social media after the killing, although haven’t offered further detail on the nature of those postings, what platform they were made on, and whether they were public or private.
Miller and 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.
Nohema Graber, 66, taught Spanish classes at Fairfield High School since 2012
The shocking details emerged as Graber’s son and daughter both took to social media to say they forgive their mom’s alleged killers.
Son Christian wrote, ‘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.
‘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.
Graber’s body was found concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties at a park, where she frequently walked in the afternoons
‘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.
‘Thanks to everyone who reached out. I may ask for some help with things in the following days but in the end everything will be ok. Te amo madre.’
After her remains were recovered, Graber’s son Christian memorialized his mother on Facebook: ‘I’m sorry I can’t respond to the all of the messages’, he wrote, ‘but I’ll just say what I’ve been told. My mother passed away. 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’
Graber, a mom of three, leaves behind her two sons and one daughter (not pictured)
Graber, originally from Xalapa, Mexico, also leaves behind her husband
Meanwhile, daughter Nohema wrote, ‘We’ve lost an absolute angel in our family.
‘It is all thanks to her for instilling a love of travel and languages that my brothers and I have continued to experience the world throughout our lives.
‘We had the wonderful fortune of growing up in a home filled with such an abundance of warmth and love.
Police said that Graber suffered head trauma before her homicide death, but did not reveal a cause of death
Graber’s remains were found on Wednesday, hours after she was reported missing, at the Chautauqua Park in Fairfield, located about 95 miles southeast of Des Moines, where she frequently walks. She was found under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties at the park
‘I will miss her loud laugh and dancing with her to any music that was playing, she had so much joy in her eyes and such a deep sense of faith.
‘To the two teenagers that so cruelly took her life,’ she continued, ‘it is clear that they need more love and light in their hearts.
‘But I agree with my oldest brother Christian, all we can do is forgive.
‘I am filled with so much gratitude to have had such a strong and beautiful woman as my mother.
‘And from the outpouring of messages, it’s incredibly touching to know that her presence impacted so many. What a blessing she is, we know that her soul lives on in heaven.’
Daughter Nohema wrote on social media, ‘We’ve lost an absolute angel in our family’
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
Fairfield High School (pictured), where Graber taught for the last nine years, cancelled classes on Thursday and on Friday after learning about the tragedy. However, the school’s counseling services will remain open for impacted students
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.
Investigators said they also talked with a witness who saw the two teens at the park on Tuesday afternoon.
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.’
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.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk