'An exceptional person': Southeast Iowa town grieves after 2 teens charged killing high school Spanish teacher
A southeast Iowa town is reeling after two high school students were charged with first-degree murder in the death of their Spanish teacher.
Police confirmed Thursday that human remains discovered Wednesday in Fairfield's Chautauqua Park were those of Nohema Graber, who had been reported missing earlier in the day, according to a news release from the city of Fairfield posted on Facebook.
Graber, 66, had taught Spanish at Fairfield High School since 2012. Police allege two students at the high school — Willard Noble Chaiden Miller, 16, and Jeremy Everett Goodale, 16 — are responsible for her death.
Both have been charged with first-degree homicide and first-degree conspiracy to commit homicide and will be charged as adults "based on the circumstances and their ages," according to the news release.
Fairfield students were dismissed from classes early Thursday, and classes were canceled Friday.
In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding called the case tragic. He declined to provide further specifics regarding the case to protect the integrity of officials' ongoing investigation.
When asked if the killing was racially motivated, though, Moulding told the Register that there's no evidence that would point to a racial motivation. He added, however, that his office would "absolutely follow the evidence" and continue to rigorously investigate.
"This case is not, by any means, closed," Moulding said.
Leaders in Iowa's Latino communities say Graber's killing falls in line with crimes against Latinos they say have been driven by hate, though.
"This murder is beyond comprehension on why this would occur. We can only assume that the hateful rhetoric that has been promoted over the past five years continues," said Joe Henry, the state political director for the Latino civil rights organization LULAC of Iowa.
"It has led to a point of time where Latinos are objectified and attacked, such as the attempted killing of (Latina child) in 2019 and murder of a Hispanic student-athlete at Iowa State University in 2018."
In 2019, a woman was charged with attempted murder and hate crimes after striking with her SUV a Latina girl, telling police she did so because she looked "Mexican," and a Black boy because he looked "Middle Eastern." And in 2018, Iowa State student and golfer Celia Barquín Arozamena was killed on a golf course.
Nohema Graber remembered as a leader in community
Those who know Graber know her as a leader in Fairfield's Latino community. And, they say, her love for her family, community and students was fierce.
"All the things she still wanted to do ..." said 55-year-old Edith Cabrera, a Fairfield resident who said Thursday she's been friends with Graber since 2005.
"She was an exceptional person, a lovely person," Cabrera said. "Especially with her family, even with her students."
Graber's death has left the community in complete shock and grief as they struggle to find answers, Cabrera said.
"We don't know exactly what happened. Why?" Cabrera asked.
"She was a great friend, a great community leader, and an even better person."
Laurie Noll, the Fairfield Community School District's superintendent, said in a statement Thursday, "In her nine years with Fairfield High School, Mrs. Graber touched the lives of many students, parents and staff."
Noll said the high school will remain open for students who need to meet with school counselors, a crisis response team or pastoral care.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mrs. Graber. At this time, our students’ and staffs’ well-being is our top priority. As a community, we will remain united in this time of tragedy," Noll wrote.
The president of the Iowa State Education Association, Mike Beranek, also expressed heartbreak over Graber's killing Thursday afternoon.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and her colleagues ... An act like this is unspeakable, and we are torn that one of our education family is a victim to such a senseless act," Beranek wrote in a statement.
"Every day, educators work tirelessly to protect the students in their care. With full hearts and deep commitment, educators have been the backbone of our state and our nation during this unprecedented time. We cannot understand this, or any violence aimed at such guardians."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Andrea Sahouri covers social justice for the Des Moines Register. She can be contacted at asahouri@registermedia.com, on Twitter @andreamsahouri, or by phone 515-284-8247.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fairfield, Iowa teens accused of killing Spanish teacher Nohema Graber
