DELTA, Ohio — Family members of the slain Sierah Joughin will see demolition begin this week on the previous property of her convicted killer.
Razing is expected to start Wednesday or Thursday at the former residence of James Worley, 59. Relatives say it will clear the eyesore at 10627 Fulton County Road 6, outside Delta. Some work on the site has already started.
Ms. Joughin’s mother, Sheila Vaculik, said she is ready for landscape work that creates a more positive sight. It now appears overgrown, dark, and hidden, she said.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of it just sitting there,” Mrs. Vaculik said.
Worley was found guilty of aggravated murder, kidnapping, and other offenses stemming from Ms. Joughin’s July, 2016, abduction and murder.
Ms. Joughin, a 20-year-old University of Toledo student, went missing while riding her bicycle on a rural county road. Officials found her remains three days later in a cornfield along County Road 7.
She died of asphyxiation because of a plastic gag lodged in her mouth. Authorities found an article of clothing and DNA relating to Ms. Joughin at the property.
A June civil-suit settlement awarded the real estate to Ms. Joughin’s family. Relatives filed suit in hopes of taking ownership and tearing down the buildings.
Mrs. Vaculik said they may ultimately sell the property, but are not yet sure.
Four companies are now donating time and equipment for the work. They are Ehrsam Excavating of Delta, Klumm Bros. Excavating of Holland, Get ‘Er Dug of Lyons, and JEHM Enterprises of Bowling Green.
“It’s great to see people again volunteering their services to help out in any way, shape, or form,” Mrs. Vaculik said.
The family appreciates the ongoing support, said Ms. Joughin’s aunt, Tara Ice.
“There’s just no words to explain how grateful we really feel for the community that we live in,” Mrs. Ice said.
Mrs. Ice described it as an amazing step forward to clear the property. A timeline is not yet set, but the barn razing will come months later because of the pending appeal.
Klumm Bros. will provide roll off boxes and transport debris to the landfill. It’s meaningful to assist with closure, said Bob Klumm, a partner at the company.
“I feel it’s a devastating tragedy this family went through. Anything as a local business we can do to help in that healing process, it’s important as a community,” Mr. Klumm said.
Completing the work should not take much time, and will ensure the family no longer has to look at it, said Adam Gleckler, an owner of Get ‘Er Dug.
“It’s just a terrible thing, and the placed needs to be demolished. The eyesore needs to be gone,” Mr. Gleckler said.
Worley remains on Death Row at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution. His execution has been indefinitely delayed while his conviction and death sentence are under appeal.
First Published November 26, 2018, 11:52 p.m.
