Man Vanished in 1995. His Roommate Is Now Charged

Roommate Charged After 31 Years

A Wisconsin man has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide more than three decades after his former roommate disappeared. Jerome Baier, 83, was arrested Sept. 18 in connection with the 1995 disappearance of James ‘Jim’ Ruland. Ruland was 40 when he vanished from the Fond du Lac County area. His remains have never been recovered.

Ruland Was Preparing to Move

Ruland and Baier shared a farmhouse in the town of Ripon when Ruland disappeared in October 1995. Reporting on the criminal complaint says the two men had disagreements involving finances while Ruland was preparing to move out. Ruland’s vehicle was later found at a truck stop in North Fond du Lac. Investigators continued treating the disappearance as suspicious as the years passed.

Searches Covered Farms and Waterways

Authorities conducted extensive searches while trying to determine what happened to Ruland. Those efforts included human-remains detection dogs, ground-penetrating radar, aerial searches, excavation of possible burial areas and divers searching waterways. Investigators also searched a pig farm manure pit. Despite those efforts, Ruland’s body was not found, leaving detectives to build the case without recovered remains.

Forensic Testing Brings New Attention

Investigators said advances in forensic testing became important to the renewed investigation. In 2021, evidence that had previously been submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab underwent additional testing. Authorities said the results helped corroborate information obtained through interviews and other evidence analysis. Follow-up investigative work continued in the years that followed before detectives sought Baier’s arrest.

Judge Sets $1 Million Cash Bond

Baier made an initial court appearance after his arrest, and a judge set cash bond at $1 million. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in Ruland’s death. Prosecutors and investigators have described the arrest as a major development after decades of work, but the charge remains an allegation. Baier is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Case Returns to Court

A status conference was scheduled for Sept. 30, followed by a preliminary hearing on Oct. 1, according to court reporting. Investigators have continued to say Ruland’s remains have not been located. The criminal case will now move through the Wisconsin court system as prosecutors seek to establish whether the evidence gathered during the 31-year investigation is sufficient to proceed toward trial.

References: Man Vanished in 1995, Sparking Search of Pig Farm Manure Pit. Now His Former Roommate Is Accused of Murder | Wisconsin man charged in 1995 disappearance of roommate after 31 years | $1 million bond set for Fond du Lac cold case suspect charged in roommate’s death