Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

The Latest: Investigators: Suspect may be “serial offender”

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Latest on the killing of an Ohio college student (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

Investigators say in court documents that an Ohio man charged with abducting and killing a college student “fits the profile of a serial offender.”

Search warrants released Thursday indicate investigators are looking into whether James Worley may have kept an unknown number of victims inside a hidden room in his barn.

The documents say hay bales concealed the hidden room that held restraints and a carpet-lined freezer on the property where he lives west of Toledo.

Authorities have charged the 57-year-old Worley with aggravated murder and abduction in the death of 20-year-old University of Toledo student Sierah Joughin (JAW’-gihn).

She disappeared last week while riding her bicycle.

Worley’s attorney declined to comment Thursday.

Worley was convicted of abducting a woman in 1990 near Toledo and spent three years in prison.

___

5:10 p.m.

Search warrants show investigators found a hidden room outfitted with restraints inside a barn belonging to an Ohio man who’s accused of abducting and killing a college student.

The documents first reported by The Blade newspaper in Toledo after it went to court seeking their release say the secret room also had a carpet-lined freezer with blood inside.

Authorities have charged 57-year-old James Worley with aggravated murder and abduction in the death of 20-year-old University of Toledo student Sierah Joughin (JAW’-gihn).

She disappeared a week ago while riding her bicycle.

Worley’s attorney declined to comment Thursday.

Worley was convicted of abducting a woman in 1990 near Toledo and spent three years in prison. Since his arrest Friday, investigators have been looking into the possibility of additional victims.

___

This story has been corrected to change pronunciation of victim’s last name.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.