Nearly two decades after the tragic death of Doris Worrell, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has announced a significant breakthrough in the cold case, arresting her husband, Jon Worrell, 58, on charges including Malice Murder and Felony Murder.
The arrest brings a measure of justice to a case that has haunted Coffee County for 19 years.
Jon Worrell, currently residing in Maryville, Missouri, was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
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He faces multiple charges, including Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Battery, all related to the death of his wife. Worrell is awaiting an extradition hearing to determine his return to Coffee County, Georgia.
The original investigation began on September 20, 2006, when the GBI’s regional investigative office in Douglas was called to assist the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. Doris Worrell, 39 at the time, was found shot and killed inside Jon’s Sports Park, a local business owned by the couple in Douglas, Georgia.
Over the years, investigators from the GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office relentlessly pursued leads, both domestically and internationally, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to solving Doris Worrell’s murder. This recent arrest is a direct testament to their persistent efforts.
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The GBI, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office are scheduled to hold a news conference on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
The conference will take place at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, where investigators are expected to release further details about the extensive investigation that led to this long-awaited arrest.
This development offers a glimmer of hope for justice to the family and community affected by Doris Worrell’s untimely death, highlighting the dedication of law enforcement agencies in pursuing even the most challenging cold cases.
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