Bio

James William Miller was born on February 2, 1940, in Australia. Before the Truro murders, Miller had been in prison for breaking and entering. While in prison, he met Christopher Robin Worrell. Worrell had a criminal history that included rape and armed robbery-related offences. After they were released, the two men became close and spent a lot of time together.

By 1976, Miller and Worrell were living in South Australia. They drove around Adelaide looking for young women and girls, including hitchhikers and women waiting in public areas. Worrell was believed to be the more violent and dominant person in the pair.

Miller later claimed that Worrell was the one who raped and killed the victims. Miller said his own role was mainly driving, waiting nearby, and helping hide the bodies. However, the jury did not accept that he was only an innocent bystander.

Prosecutors argued that Miller knowingly helped Worrell. He was present during the crimes, helped transport victims, and helped conceal their bodies. Because of this, he was convicted as part of a joint criminal plan.

The killings stopped after Worrell died in a car crash on February 19, 1977. Miller survived the crash. The murders were not fully uncovered until bodies were found near Truro in 1978 and 1979. After Worrell’s death, Miller made statements to a woman about the killings, and that information later helped police connect him to the case.

Murder Story

The Truro murders happened in South Australia between December 1976 and February 1977. The victims were young women and teenage girls, aged between 15 and 26. Most were picked up in or around Adelaide and taken to isolated areas

The first linked victim was 18-year-old Veronica Knight. She disappeared on December 23, 1976. Her remains were found in April 1978 near Truro by a man collecting mushrooms. At first, police did not know that her death was part of a larger series of murders.

More victims were later connected to the case. They included Tania Kenny, Juliet Mykyta, Sylvia Pittman, Vickie Howell, Connie Iordanides, and Deborah Lamb. 

Their bodies were later found in areas including Truro, Wingfield, and Port Gawler.

Christopher Worrell died in a car crash on February 19, 1977. Miller survived the crash. After Worrell’s death, the killings stopped. The case remained unsolved until more bodies were found in 1978 and 1979.

The investigation changed when a woman told police about a conversation she had with Miller. She said Miller had spoken about Worrell and the killings. Police questioned Miller on May 23, 1979. At first, he denied involvement, but he later agreed to show police where more bodies were buried.

Miller led police to several sites near Truro, Port Gawler, and Wingfield. These discoveries helped investigators connect him and Worrell to the missing women.

At trial, Miller claimed that Worrell had raped and killed the women while he waited nearby. He described himself as a “chauffeur and mug,” meaning he said he was only the driver and helper. Prosecutors argued that Miller was not just a witness. They said he helped pick up victims, stayed close during the crimes, and helped hide the bodies.

On March 12, 1980, Miller was found guilty of six murders. He was acquitted of Veronica Knight’s murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Miller continued to claim that he did not personally kill the women and that Worrell was the direct killer. However, his convictions remained in place because the court found he was part of the criminal plan.

In 2000, Miller received a 35-year non-parole period. He died in prison in October 2008 before he could become eligible for release.