Georgia man had wife killed, raised kids with nanny in Costa Rica: police

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) has announced the arrest of a man in connection with his ex-wife’s death nearly 20 years ago.

Jon Worrell, 58, was arrested on May 23 and charged with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Battery, two decades after his wife, Doris Worrell, died in what police now suspect was a murder-for-hire plot.

In the 19 years since his wife was shot, Worrell raised his and Doris’ three children—who were under the age of 12 when she died—in Costa Rica with their former nanny Paola Yarberry.

He recently moved back to the U.S. following a split from Yarberry, who then cooperated with police to provide information on his alleged involvement in his ex-wife’s death.

The GBI has been contacted via email for further comment. No attorney for Worrell could be located at this time.

Why It Matters

When Doris Worrell was shot at the business she shared with her husband, Jon’s Sports Park, she was initially believed to be the victim of a robbery gone wrong. Although police had suspicions about Jon Worrell he was not arrested at the time of the killing.

Investigators from the GBI have said the result of this case should bring hope to people who are still looking for answers in their own cold cases.

What To Know

Doris Worrell, 39, was shot at Jon’s Sports Park on September 30, 2006.

Investigators at the time were aware of marital issues between Doris and Jon, which included Jon’s relationship with their live-in nanny, Paola Yarberry, who was then 18. According to police, Jon Worrell was worried he would lose custody of his children if he and Doris got a divorce. He then began looking for someone to kill his wife, the investigators said.

He first moved with his kids from Douglas, Georgia, to Fernandina, Florida, and then to Costa Rica to meet Yarberry who had been deported from the U.S. after visa issues.

Worrell was not at Jon’s Sports Park at the time of the shooting, Jason Seacrist, the lead agent on the case for the GBI, said at a news conference on Friday, according to the New York Times. He added that authorities have yet to determine who actually shot Doris Worrell.

The GBI arrested two men 17 years ago who had been park employees for charges of conspiracy to commit Doris’ murder. However they had to release Glidden Rodriguez and Brandon Cage because of a lack of evidence. Rodriguez has since died.

Once investigators were made aware that Jon was back in the U.S. they re-opened the case and traveled to Costa Rica to obtain evidence from Yarberry, who eventually opened up about new evidence that allegedly ties Jon to his wife’s death.

Worrell was arrested at his home in Missouri and then extradicted to Georgia where he is being held at the Coffee County jail.

What People Are Saying

Special Agent in Charge, Jason Seacrist, said in a statement: “This investigation should also give hope to the families of victims in other cold cases that the answers they seek are still being sought. It should produce fear and sleepless nights for the offenders in other cold cases because law enforcement will not stop looking for you. It should bring pride and confidence in the communities we serve, knowing that law enforcement has not forgotten and will continue to investigate these cases, no matter how long it takes.”

Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole said: “I want to be clear. This case has never been forgotten. While the road has been long and often frustrating, we never gave up. Justice delayed is still justice. Today we honor Doris and her loved ones with this long-awaited breakthrough.”

What Happens Next

According to GBI the case is ongoing, and they have encouraged people with information to come forward by submitting tips online, or calling the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103 or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227.