On a quiet day in Douglas, Georgia, nearly two decades after the tragic death of Doris Worrell, a significant breakthrough brought renewed hope for justice. Jon Worrell, now 58, was arrested on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at his home in Mayfield, Missouri, charged with the murder of his wife, Doris, who was found shot to death on September 20, 2006.
The arrest marks the culmination of a 19-year investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, sparked by new information from the couple’s former nanny. This case, long considered a cold case, underscores the persistence of law enforcement and the enduring quest for truth.
The Crime: A Murder Disguised as a Robbery
On September 20, 2006, Doris Worrell, a 39-year-old businesswoman, was found dead inside Jon’s Sport Park, a recreation business she co-owned with her husband, Jon Worrell, in Douglas, Georgia, a small community approximately 130 miles from Savannah.
The scene was grim: Doris had been shot, and her husband, who called the police, claimed he had returned from running errands to find her lifeless body. Initially, authorities believed the narrative that Doris was the victim of a botched robbery.
Jon Worrell presented himself as a grieving husband, devastated by the sudden loss of his wife, and many in the community accepted this account. The brutality of the crime shocked the tight-knit town.
Jon’s Sport Park was a local hub, a place where families gathered, making the violent death of Doris, a well-liked figure, all the more jarring. Early investigations focused on the robbery angle, with law enforcement searching for suspects who might have targeted the business.
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However, as the case unfolded, inconsistencies began to emerge, casting doubt on the initial story. Despite these doubts, the case stalled for years due to insufficient evidence, leaving Doris’ loved ones in limbo and the community grappling with unanswered questions.
A Breakthrough: The Nanny’s Revelation
The turning point in the investigation came in April 2025, when investigators traveled to Costa Rica to interview the couple’s former nanny, whose identity has not been disclosed. At the time of Doris’ death, the nanny was 18 years old and had been living with the Worrell family after Doris, known for her kindness, offered her a place to stay.
Unbeknownst to Doris, Jon Worrell had been engaged in an affair with the nanny. This relationship, coupled with Jon’s fear of losing custody of his children in a potential divorce, set the stage for a sinister plot.
According to GBI Agent Jason Seacrist, Jon Worrell was deeply concerned about the consequences of divorcing Doris. He feared that a divorce would result in losing access to his children, a prospect he was unwilling to accept. This fear allegedly drove him to orchestrate a plan to have his wife killed.
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Authorities revealed that Jon recruited two individuals, Glidden Rodriguez and Brandon Cage, to carry out the murder. While Rodriguez and Cage were arrested for conspiracy to commit murder shortly after the crime, the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Rodriguez has since passed away, and Cage was recently released from prison on an unrelated charge.
After Doris’ death, Jon Worrell fled to Florida with his children and later relocated to Costa Rica, where the nanny eventually joined him. The couple lived together, raising the children, until their relationship deteriorated. When the affair ended and Jon returned to the United States, settling in Mayfield, Missouri, investigators seized the opportunity to speak with the nanny.
Her decision to provide critical information, which corroborated years of accumulated evidence, was pivotal. This new testimony allowed authorities to build a case strong enough to arrest Jon Worrell on charges of malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated assault. He was taken into custody without incident, waived extradition, and was booked into Coffee County Jail on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
The nanny’s cooperation was a game-changer, but it also highlighted the complexity of the case. Authorities noted that she had been deported from the United States after refusing to share information about the murder, possibly out of loyalty to Jon or fear of repercussions.
Her eventual decision to come forward, after years of silence, underscores the emotional and ethical dilemmas that can complicate cold case investigations. The nanny is not considered a suspect in Doris’ death, but her role in the aftermath of the crime added layers to an already intricate story.
The Emotional Toll: A Family’s Quest for Closure
For Doris Worrell’s family, particularly her sister LeAnn Tuggle, the 19-year wait for justice has been a painful journey marked by suspicion and grief. Tuggle expressed gratitude to investigators for their unwavering commitment, but she also shared the heartbreak of losing her sister, whom she described as “the sweetest person anyone could have known.”
Doris’ kindness, Tuggle noted, was both her defining trait and, tragically, a factor in her death. By taking in the nanny, who had nowhere else to go, Doris unwittingly brought her husband’s accomplice into their home.
Tuggle’s suspicions about Jon Worrell grew when he abruptly left the country with his children, refusing to disclose their whereabouts. “Why would he pick up his family and move and why would he not let us know his location when he moved out of the country? Things like that didn’t add up,” she told WMAZ.
The secrecy surrounding Jon’s actions deepened the family’s distrust, but without concrete evidence, they were left to mourn without answers. The arrest of Jon Worrell has brought a measure of relief, but it cannot erase the years of anguish. Doris’ death left a void in the lives of her loved ones, and the revelation of her husband’s betrayal added a layer of betrayal to their grief.
Tuggle’s reflections on her sister’s character highlight the profound loss felt by those who knew her. Doris was not just a victim of a violent crime; she was a compassionate woman whose generosity was exploited in the worst possible way.
The broader community of Douglas has also been affected by the case. Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole emphasized that the investigation was never forgotten, stating, “Justice delayed is still justice.”
The arrest serves as a reminder that law enforcement remains committed to resolving even the most challenging cases. Agent Seacrist echoed this sentiment, noting that the breakthrough should inspire hope for families of other cold case victims and instill fear in perpetrators who believe they have evaded justice.
Jon Worrell’s arrest on May 20, 2025, marks a significant milestone in a case that has haunted Douglas, Georgia, for nearly two decades. Charged with malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated assault, Worrell now faces the consequences of a crime that shattered a family and a community. His first court appearance on Friday, May 23, 2025, resulted in a denial of bond, ensuring he remains in Coffee County Jail as the legal process unfolds.
The case of Doris Worrell is a testament to the perseverance of law enforcement and the importance of new information in solving long-dormant cases. The nanny’s revelations, combined with years of meticulous evidence collection, finally brought clarity to a murder that was initially disguised as a robbery. For Doris’ family, particularly her sister LeAnn Tuggle, the arrest offers a chance for closure, though it cannot undo the pain of losing a beloved sister, mother, and friend.
As Agent Seacrist aptly stated, this investigation sends a powerful message to both victims’ families and perpetrators: law enforcement will not stop seeking answers, no matter how much time has passed. The memory of Doris Worrell, a woman remembered for her kindness, will endure through the pursuit of justice in her name. Her story serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of betrayal and tragedy, the truth can eventually come to light.