The Douglas News
September 22, 2007
Robert Preston, Jr.

DOUGLAS — One year later: No arrest in Worrell shooting

DOUGLAS — It has been a little over a year since Doris Worrell was tragically murdered at her family's business in Douglas, and the case isn't much clearer now than it was on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006.

Since that terrible morning, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has worked diligently on the case, though no arrests have been made and no suspects have been named.
Friday morning, the GBI released a statement regarding the status of the investigation.  According to the GBI, they are actively following leads almost daily and attempting to piece together exactly what happened to Worrell.

Although exact details of the investigation cannot be released as the case is ongoing, the GBI did state that the shooting occurred sometime early that September day.

The GBI's statement mentioned that hundreds of community members lined the streets shortly after word of the shooting got out and groups of people embraced in sorrow as they carried the local woman from the business.

The GBI says that they are doing everything in their power to bring Worrell’s killer to justice, but cannot release too many details as the investigation continues.  “We are actively investigating this case and we want any help we can get at this point," said Douglas GBI office Special Agent in Charge Russell Mansfield.

The case has never been far from the minds of the public in both South and Middle Georgia.  Worrell graduated from The Westfield Schools in Fort Valley in 1985, and friends, family and classmates from that area have worked diligently to keep her memory alive.
A Web site, friendsofdoris.com,  has been set up to remember Worrell, and contains photos and stories from friends and family.

Doris Worrell was a kind and gentle person, one who touched everyone she came in contact with.  That her life was taken so violently and so tragically in broad daylight in the family business has been hard for people to accept.

The fact that one year has gone by and there are still no answers adds to the pain and confusion.

Intertwined in the murder investigation is the ongoing saga of Paola Yarberry, who was the lone individual inside the business when the shooting occurred.  Yarberry, a Venezuela native who came to the U.S. at a young age, was living with the Worrell family at the time.
On May 1, officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Yarberry on an alleged immigration violation.  Since her arrest, she has been held in a detention center in Gadsden, Ala.

Court documents obtained by The Douglas News show a connection between Yarberry's arrest and the murder.  Yarberry's attorneys have petitioned for her immediate release.  However, the GBI and district attorney's office believe Yarberry may have information related to the murder that she has not told.  Both agencies have asked that Yarberry remain in custody until the murder is solved or she is deported.

Yarberry has had monthly court dates since May 1, yet each one has been continued.  Her most recent court date came Thursday, when Judge William Cassidy said that Yarberry's case must be resolved soon.

He instructed Yarberry's attorneys to file necessary paperwork by Oct. 30 so he can render a decision, stating that Yarberry had been kept in limbo long enough.  He added that if the required paperwork is filed before he Oct. 30 deadline, he could make a decision sooner.
Thursday, friends and family in the Fort Valley/Perry area held a memorial service for Worrell, and attendees wore purple, her favorite color.  In addition, the Friends of Doris Web site has purple armbands available with "Remember Doris" inscribed.
WMAZ in Macon aired a story on the case earlier this week, and The Macon Telegraph published a story in its Friday edition.

Thursday, a wreath was placed on the fence of the business in which the shooting occurred.
The GBI is asking that anyone with any knowledge of the events that occurred that day come forward and contact them at (912) 389-4103 or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227

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