Suspect Arrested in 1995 Wisconsin Homicide Case After 31-Year Investigation
Published: September 18th, 2026.
WISCONSIN: — A Wisconsin man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the 1995 disappearance and presumed death of James “Jim” Ruland in North Fond du Lac, bringing a major development in a case investigators have worked for more than three decades.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said detectives arrested Jerome Baier early Friday, Sept. 18, at a rural residence near Spencer, Wisconsin. Authorities say Baier was Ruland’s roommate at the time Ruland disappeared.
Ruland was 40 years old when he vanished in October 1995. Investigators confirmed he was last seen on Oct. 24, while a witness reported possibly seeing him hitchhiking in North Fond du Lac two days later. He has not been seen since.
According to the sheriff’s office, Ruland was living in the Town of Ripon at the time. His vehicle was later discovered at the Stretch Truck Stop in North Fond du Lac.
His disappearance prompted an investigation spanning more than three decades and eventually shifted from a missing-person case to a homicide investigation as authorities uncovered additional evidence.
Investigators conducted numerous searches for Ruland’s remains, including the use of human-remains detection K9s, ground-penetrating radar, aerial searches and large-scale excavations. Divers searched waterways, and detectives also searched a pig farm manure pit, according to the sheriff’s office.
A significant development came in 2021 when advances in forensic technology prompted detectives to seek additional testing of evidence previously submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Authorities said the results helped corroborate information obtained through interviews and analysis of other evidence.
Detectives subsequently conducted additional interviews and continued searching for Ruland. His remains have still not been recovered.
Despite that, the sheriff’s office said investigators developed sufficient probable cause to make an arrest.
Working with the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained a search warrant for Baier’s residence. The warrant was executed early Friday, and Baier was arrested on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide in Ruland’s death.
Baier was transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail, where authorities said he remained in custody awaiting an initial court appearance.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office assisted Fond du Lac County investigators during the investigation.
Ruland’s information had also been entered into several national databases over the years, including the National Crime Information Center, National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program.
The sheriff’s office said detectives remain committed to determining what happened to Ruland and locating his remains. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.
Ruland’s family has requested privacy and asked members of the media not to contact them for comment.
Baier is suspected of first-degree intentional homicide. The allegation has not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.