“She was Almost Home”: 20/20 Reports on Sierah Joughin Homicide July 4 2025

ABC’s 20/20 returns on Friday, July 4, 2025, with a gripping two-hour special titled She Was Almost Home, delving into the 2016 abduction and murder of Sierah Joughin. Reported by John Quiñones, the broadcast re-examines a case that horrified Ohio and sparked significant legislative change. The episode brings fresh interviews with those closest to Sierah and investigators who worked tirelessly to bring her killer, James Worley, to justice.

The program recounts how Sierah, a 20-year-old University of Toledo student, disappeared on July 19, 2016, while biking home along rural County Road 6. The desperate search led authorities to a cornfield, where evidence pointed to a violent encounter. Days later, her body was found, revealing a calculated attack by a predator hiding in plain sight. Through intimate interviews and investigative details, 20/20 offers viewers a comprehensive look at the tragic events and the pursuit of justice.

Sierah Joughin: A Promising Life Cut Short

Sierah Joughin was born February 11, 1996, in Sylvania, Ohio, and grew up surrounded by family and friends who affectionately called her “Ce.” A vibrant and ambitious student, she graduated from Evergreen High School in 2014 and was pursuing a degree in human resource management at the University of Toledo at the time of her death. Known for her kind spirit and dedication to friends and family, she was interning at her uncle’s business, balancing school and work with plans for a bright future.

On July 19, 2016, Sierah was returning home from her boyfriend Josh Kolasinski’s house when she vanished. After Josh last saw her riding off alone, she failed to return home, sparking immediate concern. By nightfall, her purple bicycle was found hidden in a cornfield near her route. Broken cornstalks and scattered items, including a screwdriver, men’s sunglasses, and motorcycle tracks, painted a grim picture of an apparent struggle.

The Investigation and Discovery of a Predator

As the investigation unfolded, authorities identified James Worley, a local man living less than two miles from where Sierah disappeared. Worley’s suspicious behavior during a door-to-door canvass raised alarm; he volunteered details matching evidence from the scene—items he claimed he lost when his motorcycle allegedly broke down. Investigators soon learned Worley had a violent history, including a 1990 conviction for abducting a woman he ambushed while she rode her bike.

A search warrant for Worley’s property revealed a shocking collection of restraints, women’s clothing, and a bloodstained freezer in a hidden barn. DNA evidence connected Sierah directly to items recovered there. Cell phone data also placed Worley at the abduction site for nearly two hours. On July 22, 2016, three days after Sierah’s disappearance, authorities found her body hogtied and gagged in a shallow grave a few miles from Worley’s home. The autopsy confirmed death by asphyxiation caused by the gag, and there was no evidence of sexual assault.

The Trial of James Worley: A Pattern of Violence Exposed

James Worley was indicted on 19 charges, including aggravated murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, and abuse of a corpse. His trial began in March 2018 in Fulton County, Ohio, presided over by Judge Jeffrey Robinson. Prosecutors alleged that Worley ambushed Sierah, struck her with his helmet, abducted her, and restrained her in his barn until she died. They presented digital evidence of internet searches involving abduction and bondage, and testimony from Robin Gardner, Worley’s 1990 victim, who described her near-identical experience.

Worley’s defense claimed the barn’s disturbing contents were props for a planned pornography studio. They argued the low levels of Worley’s DNA on the helmet suggested someone else could have been responsible. Despite these claims, the jury found Worley guilty on 17 of the 19 charges. After a penalty phase that weighed mitigating factors against the aggravated circumstances, the jury recommended the death penalty.

Sentencing, Appeals, and Ongoing Legal Battles

On April 16, 2018, Judge Robinson sentenced Worley to death, adding over 20 years of prison time for additional charges. Since then, Worley has remained on death row at Ross Correctional Institution. His execution, initially set for 2019, has been repeatedly delayed due to appeals. His defense has argued mental health issues, ineffective legal representation, and prejudicial community familiarity with the case compromised his right to a fair trial. These arguments have not persuaded the courts to overturn his conviction.

Despite his legal maneuvers, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld Worley’s conviction and death sentence. A federal appeal is ongoing, and his execution remains stayed as of July 2025.

A Legacy of Change: Sierah’s Law and Community Healing

The horror of Sierah’s murder spurred community action. Her family and local leaders championed “Sierah’s Law,” Ohio Senate Bill 231, establishing a violent offender registry for serious crimes such as murder and kidnapping. Passed in December 2018 and effective in March 2019, the law allows Ohio residents to request information about violent offenders living in their area, aiming to prevent future tragedies.

Joughin’s family also created the Sierah Joughin Memorial Scholarship Fund, supporting Evergreen High School graduates involved in sports and community activities. Additionally, the nonprofit organization Justice for Sierah was formed, offering self-defense programs and safety education. Annual events like the “Spirit of Sierah” 5K run bring the community together to honor her memory and promote safety.

Sierah Joughin’s life was taken far too soon, but her legacy continues to inspire change and protect others from the kind of violence she endured. 20/20’s She Was Almost Home serves as a powerful reminder of her story and the importance of vigilance, compassion, and justice.