DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) - Nearly two decades after Doris Worrell was found murdered inside her family’s business, her husband, Jon Worrell, is once again heading back to court.

Worrell is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Coffee County on charges of malice murder, felony murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. Investigators say he hired hitmen to kill his wife in September 2006.

Doris Worrell was found dead inside Jon’s Sports Park, the family’s Douglas business. Her death quickly became one of the most well-known and long-running unsolved cases in Coffee County.

Among those who remember that day clearly is Robert Preston, editor of Douglas Now and a longtime friend of the Worrell family.

Preston says just before Doris was killed, he had seen her and former nanny Paula Yarberry at the sports park. About an hour later, while sitting in his office, he heard a police scanner call reporting an armed robbery at the business.

“I remember thinking, ‘I just saw Doris and Paula. I hope they’re not still there,’” Preston said.

He sent a reporter to the scene. Moments later, the reporter called back.

“He asked me, ‘Does the GBI crime scene van usually show up for an armed robbery?’ I told him no — they only come if there’s been a death. And then he told me the GBI had just pulled up,” Preston said.

That moment marked the beginning of what would become a nearly 20-year investigation into Doris Worrell’s death.

Preston, who has known the family his entire life, says the case has been emotionally difficult for everyone involved.

“I knew Doris. I know Jon. I know the whole family,” he said. “However this case ends, I just want to see it solved. I want to see justice for Doris. I want to see closure.”

Worrell was originally arraigned in July and again in September of 2025. He was re-indicted after prosecutors corrected legal paperwork. Each time, Worrell pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Doris Worrell’s family tells WALB this case has gone on long enough, and they are hoping the new year finally brings the justice Doris deserves.

WALB News 10 will be in the courtroom Tuesday and will continue to follow this case.

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