GBI Makes Arrest in 19-Year Old Cold Case Death of Doris Worrell in Coffee County

News Release Following May 23, 2025 News Conference:

Douglas, GA (May 23, 2025) – The GBI has arrested and charged Jon Worrell, age 58, of Douglas, Georgia, with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Battery related to the death of his wife, Doris Worrell, almost 20 years ago. Jon, a current resident of Maryville, Missouri, was taken into custody at his home without incident. The GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Relentless Pursuit, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryville Department of Public Safety. Jon is currently booked at the Coffee County Jail after having waived extradition in Missouri.

On September 20, 2006, the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas, Georgia, was requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation at Jon’s Sports Park in Douglas, Georgia. Doris Worrell, 39 years old at the time, was found shot and killed inside their local business. Many initially believed that Jon was a grieving husband, and his wife a victim of a robbery gone wrong. There were initial reports of a person who had been banned by Jon from Jon’s Sports Park who may have killed Doris in retaliation. But as the investigation continued, information was provided that implicated Jon in Doris’s death.

Investigators learned that Jon and Doris were having marital issues, which included Jon’s relationship with their live-in nanny, Paola Yarberry. Jon was also concerned that a divorce from Doris would result in him losing his children. Jon then began looking for someone to kill Doris.

After Doris’s death, Paola was deported to Venezuela due to an immigration issue. Jon first moved to Fernandina, Florida, and then to Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, Paola joined Jon, where they lived together as a couple and raised Jon and Doris’s children. During that time, Glidden Rodriguez and Brandon Cage were arrested for conspiracy to commit the murder of Doris. As the investigation continued, it was determined that there was not enough evidence to convict either person, and the charges were dropped. Glidden has since died from medical issues.

In recent years, investigators learned that Jon and Paola had ended their romantic relationship and that Jon had moved back to the U.S. After another in-depth review of the case, it was decided that investigators would travel to Costa Rica, where Paola eventually cooperated. Based on the facts gathered in the early years of the investigation, additional information either learned, confirmed, or corroborated in recent years, along with Paola’s cooperation, investigators were able to obtain arrest warrants for Jon for Doris’ death.

“This investigation should also give hope to the families of victims in other cold cases that the answers they seek are still being sought,” said SAC Jason Seacrist. “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.” 

“I want to be clear. This case has never been forgotten,” said Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole. “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.” 

This successful investigation is another example of the importance of cooperation and collaboration between local law enforcement, prosecutors, and the GBI. These partnerships are important for the communities they serve and produce positive investigative results.

This investigation is still active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103 or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Watch the news conference here: https://tinyurl.com/mw45n4d7

Initial News Release Before May 23, 2025 News Conference:

Douglas, GA (May 20, 2025) – The GBI has arrested and charged Jon Worrell, age 58, of Douglas, Georgia, with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Battery related to the death of his wife, Doris Worrell, almost 20 years ago. Jon, a current resident of Maryville, Missouri, was taken into custody without incident. The GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryville Department of Public Safety. Jon is currently waiting for an extradition hearing to determine the timing of his return to Coffee County, Georgia.
Douglas, GA (May 20, 2025) – The GBI has arrested and charged Jon Worrell, age 58, of Douglas, Georgia, with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Battery related to the death of his wife, Doris Worrell, almost 20 years ago. Jon, a current resident of Maryville, Missouri, was taken into custody without incident. The GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryville Department of Public Safety. Jon is currently waiting for an extradition hearing to determine the timing of his return to Coffee County, Georgia.

On September 20, 2006, the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas, Georgia, was requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation at Jon’s Sports Park in Douglas, Georgia. Doris Worrell, 39 years old at the time, was found shot and killed inside their local business. Over the years, the GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office pursued investigative leads, both in the U.S. and internationally, remaining committed to uncovering the truth behind Doris’ murder. This arrest is the direct result of those relentless efforts.

The GBI, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will hold a news conference on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, where investigators will provide additional information about the investigation.