Missing Latina Spanish Teacher Found Dead, Allegedly Murdered By Two Teen Students

A missing Spanish teacher in Fairfield, Iowa was found dead on Wednesday, Nov. 3, in a shocking homicide allegedly perpetrated by two of her teen students, both of whom have been charged with her murder.

Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old woman who taught Spanish at Fairfield High School, was found dead in Chautauqua Park on Wednesday, the same day that she was declared missing. Many are considering the tragic killing to be a race-motivated hate crime, with many groups outspoken about their anger towards the situation, according to the Des Moines Register.

“This murder is beyond comprehension on why this would occur. We can only assume that the hateful rhetoric that has been promoted over the past five years continues,” Joe Henry from the Latin rights organization League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said.

The killers of Graber are believed to be Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16 years old. They have been arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit homicide, with their bail set at $1 million each, The Daily Beast reported.

“Based on the circumstances and their ages, Miller and Goodale are being criminally charged as adults,” a statement from the authorities read.

The police said that they have social media communications from Goodale that detail why they were killing Graber and how. A search of their homes found clothes with what are believed to be bloodstains, according to the Ottumwa Courier.

“This case is not, by any means, closed,” Chauncey Moulding, attorney for Jefferson County, said.

The community has come together in grief as they try to understand the heinous actions that Miller and Goodale allegedly did to Graber, who by all indications is a well-loved member of the Fairfield community that she belonged to.

“She was an exceptional person, a lovely person,” Edith Cabrera, a friend of Graber, said. “Especially with her family, even with her students.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mrs. Graber. At this time, our students’ and staffs’ well-being is our top priority. As a community, we will remain united in this time of tragedy,” superintendent Laurie Noll said.