Josh Kolasinski and Sierah Joughin were in a relationship for seven years and had even contemplated getting married.
During high school, Sierah Joughin initially dated Josh Kolasinski. When they were young, the couple met and swiftly became close companions. Even though they attended different colleges, they maintained their friendship.
The couple had been in a relationship for several years since Sierah started college. Regrettably, their love story came to an abrupt end when James Worley abducted Sierah and murdered her in Delta, Ohio. On July 19, 2016, at around 6:45
On July 19, 2016, Josh experienced an event that would irreversibly change his life.
While at her boyfriend’s place, Sierah was cycling home while he was riding his motorcycle. However, they ultimately went their separate ways; it marked the final time anyone saw her.
Josh was unable to reach her, and she never arrived home. Sierah’s family notified the authorities. Later that evening, her bicycle was discovered in a cornfield close to Country Road 6.
Three days later, the police identified the perpetrator of the crime following an investigation involving the FBI. The perpetrator was James Worley, a 57-year-old resident of Delta, Ohio.
Near her bicycle, law enforcement found other items that did not belong to Joughin, including a box of auto fuses and a pair of men’s sunglasses.
A passing motorist also discovered a motorcycle helmet with a bloody handprint. These items are linked to James Worley and serve as compelling evidence against him.
Sierah had been bound and gagged, and a plastic toy was used as a gag when her body was eventually found on Country Road 7 in a shallow grave.
The autopsy determined that asphyxiation was the cause of death, and she had not been a victim of sexual assault.
In the aftermath of Joughin’s murder, Kolasinski founded a nonprofit organization to raise funds for community self-defense classes. The sole beneficiary of his memories of Sierah is 13abc.
Josh Recalls Sierah
Josh fondly remembers Sierah, whom he affectionately called “Ce,” as someone who brought radiance into any room she entered.
He attended Worley’s trial and even delivered an emotional testimony there, reportedly being the first to speak up.
He recalled that fateful day, “She informed me that she didn’t need me by her side. We said our farewells after I kissed her.
Josh can truthfully express that he never envisioned this occurrence in his life: “It feels very surreal, most people never go through anything like this, and I didn’t believe it would happen to me. Simply take each day as it comes and try to identify the positives.
Although coping with such a situation is never easy, Josh continued seeking a purpose to live despite the tragedy.
The Account
James D. Worley, the individual who assaulted her, was found guilty and received a death penalty for the murder and a sentence of over 20 years in prison for the kidnapping, assault, and other associated offenses.
Currently, the date set for his execution is May 20, 2025.
At the time of Joughin’s murder, Worley had previously been convicted and sentenced to prison for the assault and attempted abduction of a different woman under similar circumstances.
However, he was released after three years and was not included in any state or federal offender databases.
In response to the murder, the Ohio Senate Bill 231 (“Sierah’s Law”), a law establishing a searchable database of state offenders convicted of specific violent offenses, was enacted. The law was enacted in December 2018.
