An 83-year-old man from Wisconsin has been charged with the first-degree intentional homicide of his former roommate, whose disappearance dates back over three decades. James “Jim” Ruland was last seen on 24 October 1995, and despite extensive searches, his remains have never been located.
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Jerome Baier was arrested at his home in Spencer on 18 September following the new developments in the case. On 21 September, during a court appearance, he was given a cash bond of $1 million. The arrest comes after advancements in forensic testing provided crucial evidence linking Baier to Ruland’s disappearance.
At the time of Ruland’s vanishing, he was 40 years old and was last reported seen in the North Fond du Lac area. Two days later, a witness suggested they had seen him hitchhiking, and his car was discovered abandoned at the Stretch Truck Stop in North Fond du Lac. The two men were living together in a farmhouse, and it is alleged that tensions arose between them over missing money and unpaid utility bills, leading to Ruland seeking alternative accommodation.
Although Ruland was legally declared dead in 1999, exhaustive efforts over the years to locate his body have yet to yield any results. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office noted that various investigative methods had been employed, including the use of human-remains detection dogs, ground-penetrating radar, and aerial searches. Investigators also probed numerous potential burial sites, scoured waterways with divers, and even examined a manure pit on a pig farm.
Most recently, in late 2023, separate teams of cadaver dogs reportedly indicated the presence of human remains at Baier’s property on Cork Street Road in Ripon. Despite these alerts, no physical evidence has yet been retrieved from the site.
Significant progress in forensic technology that emerged in 2021 has aided detectives in corroborating witness testimony and gathering additional evidence related to Ruland’s case. This advancement has been instrumental in leading the authorities back to Baier.
Prior to this homicide charge, Baier had faced accusations of financial misconduct. He was alleged to have forged Ruland’s signature on two cheques, which he subsequently cashed after Ruland’s disappearance. Baier pleaded no contest in this earlier case, resulting in a theft conviction in 1997.
The murder complaint highlights Baier’s inconsistent statements and repeated deceit during the investigation, particularly regarding his alibi and Ruland’s location. Reports allege that during a coroner’s inquest in July 2026, Baier confessed to lying to investigators about the situation.
As Baier’s case progresses through the legal system, a status conference is scheduled for 30 September to determine whether he can retain legal counsel. Following this, a preliminary hearing is set for 1 October, which will further outline the nature of the evidence against him.
The community continues to grapple with the implications of Ruland’s prolonged disappearance, as investigators work tirelessly to bring closure to his family and friends, who have agonised over the unresolved case for decades.