2 teenagers charged in death of high school teacher

Nohema Graber taught Spanish at Fairfield High School in Iowa.

November 5, 2021, 6:37 PM

Two Iowa teenagers were charged Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of 66-year-old high school teacher Nohema Graber.

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16 years old, are being charged as adults for the death of a teacher at the high school they attended, according to Jefferson County authorities.

Jeremy Everett Goodale and Willard Noble Chaiden Miller in police booking photos.
Assistant Jefferson County Attorney

Law enforcement said they got a tip from an associate of the two teenagers that included alleged social media messages between Miller and Goodale that revealed details like motive, plans and execution for killing Graber, according to a criminal complaint filed against Miller.

Graber had taught Spanish at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Iowa, since 2012. According to online court documents, Graber was reported missing on Tuesday by family members.

An undated photo of Nohema Graber.
Fairfield (Iowa) Police Department via AP, FILE

Multiple law enforcement agencies reportedly started to search Chautauqua City Park, where Graber was known to take walks during the afternoon.

Officials found Graber’s body later Tuesday afternoon in the park "concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties," according to the complaint.

Authorities determined Graber had "suffered inflicted trauma to the head."

Miller and Goodale's preliminary hearings are scheduled for Nov. 12, according to court records.