Jeremy Goodale is a young man who made headlines in 2021 when he and his friend Willard Miller brutally murdered their high school Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, in Fairfield, Iowa. The motive behind the killing was reportedly a bad grade that Miller received from Graber, who was a beloved and respected educator. Goodale and Miller were both 16 years old at the time of the crime and were charged as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In April 2023, they pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 and 35 years, respectively.
Jeremy Goodale Wikipedia
Jeremy Everett Goodale was born on June 15, 2005, in Fairfield, Iowa. He is the son of James and Jennifer Goodale, who work in construction and retail, respectively. He has a younger sister named Jessica, who is 14 years old. According to his public defender, Goodale’s family is of Irish and German descent and belongs to the Protestant faith. Goodale attended Fairfield High School, where he was a sophomore and a member of the baseball team. He was described by his classmates as a quiet and shy person who did not have many friends. He also had a history of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and was prescribed medication for them.
Who is Jeremy Goodale? A Biography of the Teen Convicted of Killing His Teacher
Jeremy Goodale Net Worth
Goodale did not have a girlfriend or a spouse at the time of his arrest. He was single and focused on his studies and sports. He did not have any significant source of income or assets, as he was still a minor and dependent on his parents. His estimated net worth was less than $10,000, according to his public defender.
Jeremy Goodale Career and Education
Goodale did not have a career or a formal education beyond high school. He was a student at Fairfield High School, where he studied subjects such as math, science, English, and Spanish. He was not a stellar student, but he managed to pass most of his classes with average grades. He had a particular difficulty with Spanish, which was taught by Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old native of Colombia who had been teaching at the school for over 20 years. Graber was known for being a strict but fair teacher who cared deeply about her students and their success. She also had a passion for traveling and culture, and often organized trips to Spain for her students.
The Murder of Nohema Graber
On November 2, 2021, Goodale and his friend Willard Miller decided to kill Graber after Miller had a meeting with her to discuss his grade. Miller was unhappy with the grade he received from Graber, which he claimed would ruin his GPA and his chances of going to Spain. He convinced Goodale to join him in his plan, which involved luring Graber to a park where she usually took her afternoon walks and hitting her with a baseball bat. Goodale agreed to act as a lookout while Miller delivered the fatal blows. They also planned to hide Graber’s body and her van, and to use bleach to clean the evidence.
The plan went into action on the same day, when Graber drove to the park after school. Miller and Goodale followed her in Goodale’s car and waited for the right moment to attack. According to Goodale’s testimony, he stayed in the car while Miller got out and approached Graber from behind. He heard a loud thud and saw Graber fall to the ground. He then got out of the car and saw that Graber was still alive. He panicked and hit her again with the bat, hoping to end her suffering. He and Miller then dragged Graber’s body to a secluded spot and covered it with a tarp, a wheelbarrow, and some railroad ties. They also took Graber’s van and drove it to a rural road, where they abandoned it. They then called a friend to pick them up and take them back to town.
Who is Jeremy Goodale? A Biography of the Teen Convicted of Killing His Teacher
Goodale and Miller thought they had gotten away with the murder, but they made several mistakes that led to their capture. They left behind traces of blood and DNA on the crime scene and in the vehicles. They also posted incriminating messages on social media, such as “Time to hide a body” and “POV you’re my Spanish teacher and this is the last thing you see”. A friend of theirs saw these messages and alerted the police, who quickly identified them as suspects. They were arrested on November 4, 2021, and confessed to their roles in the killing. They also surrendered physical evidence, such as the baseball bat and the clothes they wore.
The Trial and Sentencing
Goodale and Miller were charged as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, which carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in Iowa. However, because they were 16 years old at the time of the crime, they were eligible for a lesser sentence under a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned mandatory life sentences for juveniles. They initially pleaded not guilty and asked to be released to their parents, but their requests were denied by the judge, who set their bond at $1 million each. They also asked to have their cases moved to juvenile court, but their requests were also denied.
In April 2023, Goodale and Miller changed their pleas to guilty as part of a deal with the prosecutors. Goodale agreed to testify against Miller in exchange for a recommendation of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. Miller also pleaded guilty and received a recommendation of 35 years to life with the possibility of parole. The final decision on their sentences was left to the judge, who considered several factors, such as their age, maturity, remorse, family background, mental health, and the impact of their crime on the victim’s family and the community.
On July 6, 2023, Miller was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years. He apologized to Graber’s family and expressed his regret for his actions. He also said he hoped to change his life and become a better person. Graber’s family and friends gave emotional statements about how much they missed her and how much she meant to them. They also said they forgave Miller and Goodale, but hoped they would face the consequences of their crime.
On November 15, 2023, Goodale was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He also apologized to Graber’s family and said he wished he could take back what he did. He said he was ashamed of himself and wanted to make amends for his mistake. He also said he planned to pursue his education and career while in prison. Graber’s family and friends also gave statements about how much they loved her and how much she inspired them. They also said they forgave Goodale, but hoped he would learn from his error.