‘DEATH’ CHAMBER
Suspect in Ohio gal slay has hidden ‘torture den’
The man suspected of killing a pretty Ohio co-ed had a full-blown “house of horrors” on his property — including a death chamber and a blood-splattered freezer, it was revealed Friday.
Now, authorities fear that James D. Worley, 57, may be a serial killer.
Worley was arrested this week in the kidnapping and slaying of 20-year-old University of Toledo student Sierah Joughin, who disappeared July 19 while riding her bicycle in rural Fulton County.
Her body was discovered in a cornfield three days later just miles away from Worley’s house.
Investigators searching Worley’s sprawling 3-acre home found the bloody secret chamber — concealed by hay bales inside his barn — containing the freezer and out- fitted with a carpet and handcuff restraints, according to a search warrant unsealed Thursday.
Authorities also found hidden cameras, including a “nanny cam,” several pairs of women’s underwear — one soaked in blood — lengths of rope, zip ties, a ski mask, pepper spray, duct tape, firearms and ammunition, the warrant says. One piece of tape allegedly had Joughin’s DNA on it.
Several video and still images were recovered from recording devices along with various clothing items and jewelry, the warrant states. Police believe Worley kept video evidence of Joughin’s abduction.
Investigators became suspicious of Worley when he told them that “he didn’t steal anything or kill anyone,” though he had fresh marks on his arms and bruises on his lower legs, according to the warrant.
He also told cops he had been riding his motorcycle in the area where Joughin vanished but that his bike had broken down and, as he pushed it through the cornfield, he lost his helmet, screwdriver, sunglasses and fuses, the warrant says.
Police recovered his possessions in the field, noting his helmet was covered in blood with a partial palm print that appears to match Worley’s, the warrant states. Bloody and flattened rows of corn suggested a struggle occurred.
Worley has done two stints in Ohio state prisons.
He first served three years for the abduction of Robin Gardner, 26, who, like Joughin, was riding her bike when she was attacked in July 1990. He also served two years on drug and weapons charges in the early 2000s.
Gardner’s stepmom told The Post on Friday how her relative barely escaped with her life.
“He tried to run her off the road with his car. He knocked her over, and he tried to handcuff her to the inside of the car,” Joan Gardner said. “He jumped out of the car with handcuffs and dragged her inside the car. She somehow broke loose, and she was able to get away. It was miracle. She saved her own life.”
Gardner says her stepdaughter is “upset” that Worley is back in the news. “She is having to relive this all over again. I have heard through the family grapevine that she is upset by it and she might have to go back and testify [at Worley’s trial],” Gardner said.