Wisconsin man arrested in 1995 cold case homicide

Authorities in Wisconsin have arrested 83-year-old Jerome P. Baier in connection with the 1995 disappearance of James Ruland. Baier, who was Ruland’s roommate at the time, faces a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

Ruland, then 40 years old and a resident of Ripon, was last seen on October 24, 1995. While his vehicle was later discovered at a truck stop in North Fond du Lac, his remains have never been recovered. For decades, the case was treated as a missing person investigation, involving extensive search efforts such as ground-penetrating radar, aerial searches, dive teams, and the use of human remains detection K-9s.

The investigation shifted to a homicide case following advancements in forensic technology. In 2021, detectives requested additional testing of evidence previously submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. The results corroborated information gathered through interviews and other evidence, providing the probable cause necessary for Baier's arrest. Baier is currently being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance.