FOND du LAC, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – 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 to a press release from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office. Baier was Ruland’s roommate at the time of his disappearance.
Ruland was last seen on October 24, 1995, and a witness reported they may have seen him hitchhiking in North Fond du Lac on Oct. 26, 1995. He was 40 years old at the time and was living at an address in the Town of Ripon.
Following his disappearance, Ruland’s vehicle was later located at the Stretch Truck Stop in North Fond du Lac. He has not been seen since.
Over the past 31 years, law enforcement conducted extensive efforts to locate Ruland, according to the press release. Evidence uncovered during the investigation shifted the case from a missing person inquiry to a homicide investigation.
Search efforts to locate his remains have included human remains detection K9s, ground-penetrating radar, aerial searches, large-scale excavations of potential burial sites, public safety divers searching waterways and detectives searching a pig farm manure pit.
In 2021, advances in forensic testing technology led detectives to request additional testing of evidence previously submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Those results helped corroborate information gathered through interviews and other evidence analysis, according to the press release.
Although Ruland’s remains have not been recovered, the sustained investigation developed sufficient probable cause to support an arrest.
Working with the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained a search warrant for Baier’s residence, which was served early Friday morning. Baier was transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail where he remains in custody.
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