CENTERVILLE, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety said today (Thursday), a Centerville man originally charged with Child Endangerment Causing Death, a class B felony, faces an additional charge of Murder in the First Degree, a Class-A Felony, following an ongoing investigation into the death in late January, of 2-year-old Journey Marberry.  The suspect, 48-year-old Roger Gillespie, was advised of the charges Thursday, while in custody at the Appanoose County Jail. Gillespie has remained in the jail since his arrest on January 27.

Gillespie

On May 22, 2024, the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office (JCMEO) released the final findings from the autopsy of Journey Marberry. The JCMEO ruled that Journey’s death was the result of a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.

Original story:

On Friday, January 19, 2024, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Centerville law enforcement and emergency services were dispatched to 1417 Drake Avenue on the report of an injured child. Responding officers and EMS providers found 2-year-old Journey Marberry injured inside the home. She was immediately taken to MercyOne Hospital in Centerville and then to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

On Saturday, January 27, Journey succumbed to her injuries and served as a donor to aid other families. Gillespie, who was Journey’s caretaker at the time of her injuries. He was taken into custody without incident.

Journey Marberry

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.