In a terrifying turn of events, a Spanish teacher in Iowa was attacked and killed with a baseball bat by two schoolboys who stalked her before the ambush. Authorities claim that Jeremy Goodale and Willard Miller, both 16 years old students at Fairfield High School, used the sports equipment to kill 66-year-old Nohema Graber in November 2021.

On the evening of her death, November 2, Graber left school and reportedly entered Chautauqua Park at 4 p.m. Her car was driven out of the park 42 minutes later followed by a pickup truck. The 66-year-old died of head injuries and was found lifeless under a wheelbarrow, tarp, and railroad ties, according to police

It was a friend of Goodale who shared Snapchat messages with police that indicated that the two boys "were involved in the planning, execution, and disposal of evidence" in Graber's homicide death. In the messages, Goodale described how he and Miller surveilled the Fairfield High School teacher and used a baseball bat to kill her, according to Daily Mail.

The texts also contained details including the location of her body, the area where her car was parked, and how they disposed of and concealed evidence that could tie her murder to them. Moreover, one of them was even seen pushing a wheelbarrow into the park where the teacher had been killed. 

Although police are yet to disclose the boys' motive for the senseless killing, they previously said that there wasn't any evidence that suggested the Mexican migrant's murder was racially-motivated. Although the teens' attorneys requested that the media be excluded from the hearing and tried as a juvenile, Judge Shawn Showers denied them.

Both Goodale and Miller have been charged with murder and will be tried as adults as per Iowa court procedures which note that anyone 16 or over who is charged with a forcible felony is automatically "subject to the same criminal procedures and penalties as adults." If convicted, the two teenagers would be serving lengthy court sentences. However, if the boys are moved to juvenile court, they would be released from custody when they turn 18. 

The ones most devastated by it all are Graber's family, especially her children, who loved her tremendously. Her son, Christian, and daughter, Nohema Marie, took to social media recently to say they forgive their mom's murderers. "I'm sorry I can't respond to all of the messages but I'll just say what I've been told. My mother passed away. As I understand it was pre attempted murder by two students. I forgive them and feel sorry that they had that anger in their hearts," wrote Christian.

"There's no point in being angry at them. We should hope that they can find peace in their lives. My mother was an angel of a woman and was one of the kindest souls. She gave me the gift of the Spanish language and helped many of her students over the years. She was well-loved in the community and around the world. Thanks to everyone who reached out. I may ask for some help with things in the following days but in the end everything will be ok. Te amo madre," he continued.

Meanwhile, her daughter shared, "We've lost an absolute angel in our family. It is all thanks to her for instilling a love of travel and languages that my brothers and I have continued to experience the world throughout our lives. We had the wonderful fortune of growing up in a home filled with such an abundance of warmth and love. I will miss her loud laugh and dancing with her to any music that was playing, she had so much joy in her eyes and such a deep sense of faith."

"To the two teenagers that so cruelly took her life, it is clear that they need more love and light in their hearts. But I agree with my oldest brother Christian, all we can do is forgive. I am filled with so much gratitude to have had such a strong and beautiful woman as my mother. And from the outpouring of messages, it's incredibly touching to know that her presence impacted so many. What a blessing she is, we know that her soul lives on in heaven," she heartbreakingly added.

Cover image source: YouTube Screenshot | WQAD News 8