After 31 Years of Investigation, Arrest Made in 1995 Fond Du Lac County Cold Case
Renewed forensic testing in 2021 helped investigators develop probable cause after 31 years, and Baier remains in custody on a homicide charge.
- On Friday, Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Jerome Baier, 83, at his Marathon County home, charging the former roommate with first-degree intentional homicide in James "Jim" Ruland's 1995 disappearance.
- Ruland was 40 when he vanished in October 1995, leaving his station wagon at a North Fond du Lac truck stop; the case shifted from missing person inquiry to homicide investigation over three decades of searching.
- Advances in forensic testing in 2021 allowed detectives to re-examine evidence, yielding results that corroborated interviews and analysis, providing probable cause to charge Baier, who had been a suspect since 1996.
- Baier is scheduled for an initial court appearance at 11 a.m. Monday at the Fond du Lac County Courthouse, with District Attorney Eric Toney and Assistant District Attorney Sue Opper prosecuting the case.
- While Ruland's remains have not been recovered despite extensive search efforts involving K9s, radar, and excavations, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office continues seeking information; contact Lieutenant Alex Volm at 920-924-2406 or Detective Dave Olig.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Man arrested in 1995 Fond Du Lac County murder case
FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis.– An arrest was made Friday in a murder case spanning over 3 decades. The Fond Du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says 83-year-old Jerome Baier was arrested Friday morning at his home near Spencer in central Wisconsin for the murder of his former roommate James Ruland. Ruland was last seen in […]
Man caught near in connection with 1995 disappearance of James "Jim" Ruland
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WAOW) — Detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the 1995 disappearance of James "Jim" Ruland early Friday morning.Jerome Baier was arrested at a rural address near Spencer on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide, according…
Man caught in connection with 1995 disappearance of James "Jim" Ruland
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WAOW) — Detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the 1995 disappearance of James "Jim" Ruland early Friday morning.Jerome Baier was arrested at a rural address near Spencer on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide, according…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 86% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
