Georgia authorities arrested Jon Worrell after nearly 20 years for the murder of his wife Doris in 2006.
COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. — An arrest has finally been made nearly 20 years after Doris Worrell was discovered murdered in the business she co-owned with her husband Jon Worrell in Douglas, Georgia.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced this week that Jon Worrell, 58, has been charged with his wife’s 2006 murder.
Authorities apprehended Worrell at his residence in Maryville, Missouri, where he reportedly had lived quietly for years. He now faces charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and conspiracy to commit murder.
Doris was 39 when she was found shot to death inside Jon’s Sports Park on September 20, 2006. Jon informed investigators he had left to run errands and returned to discover her body.
Despite initial efforts, the case went cold — until investigators said recent developments helped connect the dots.
“The investigation did not stop,” GBI Special Agent Jason Seacrist, said during a press conference. “There were investigators all over the county constantly running down leads trying to pursue justice for this family,” said Seacrist.
But for Doris Worrell’s family, justice remains complicated. Her sister, Leanne Tuggle, said just months after Doris’s death, Jon disappeared with the couple’s three children. Since then, she says the family hasn’t seen or heard from them.
Now adults, Tuggle said the children missed years of birthdays, holidays, and milestones with their maternal family — including their grandmother, who passed away still hoping for a reunion.
“You have a home with us,” Tuggle said, in a direct plea to her nieces and nephew. “I know you haven’t been able to know us… but we want you to know we love you.”
According to investigators, marital issues had surfaced between Doris and Jon in the months leading up to her death — including Jon’s relationship with their live-in nanny, Paola Yarberry.
Investigators say Jon was concerned about losing custody of the children if a divorce moved forward — and that fear may have driven him to plan Doris’s murder.
While two men were once suspected of being hired to carry out the killing, there wasn’t enough evidence to charge them at the time. One of those men has since died.
The case regained momentum in recent years when investigators tracked down the nanny, Paola, who had returned to the U.S. from Costa Rica and agreed to cooperate. Investigators said her statements, combined with newly corroborated evidence, helped lead to Jon’s arrest.
Jon is being held at the Coffee County Jail and was denied bond during his first appearance Friday morning.
The investigation remains open and ongoing.
