In 2015, Jade Colvin, aged 13 at the time, entered foster care alongside her siblings as a result of her mother’s struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. With no contact with her father, authorities deemed foster care as the only viable option.
Over the course of nine months, Jade transitioned through various placements in the system, including foster homes. Uncomfortable with living among strangers and missing her mother LaDawn in Iowa, Jade frequently ran away, attempting to conceal her whereabouts by altering her appearance. Despite her efforts, Jade’s social nature and love for friends made her easy to locate each time she fled.
On June 10, 2016, Jade ran away from a youth shelter, evading authorities’ attempts to locate her. She remained hidden with friends and family for a period, with plans to assert her independence once she turned 18. However, in March 2017, shortly after her 15th birthday, Jade disappeared without a trace, leaving her family clueless about her whereabouts.
In 2019, Jade’s mother LaDawn passed away, but Jade failed to attend the funeral, causing distress to her relatives who had not heard from her in nearly two years. The following year, the US Marshals initiated Operation Homecoming to locate missing children, leading to a reexamination of Jade’s case and her last known movements.
Investigators discovered that Jade had been active on social media until March 30, 2017, after which all communication ceased. Through digital evidence, it was revealed that Jade’s mother had arranged for her to stay at a farm in Decorah, Iowa, owned by James Bachmurski, whom she had met online.
Jade arrived at the farm on March 23, 2017, but communication ceased after a week, indicating that she had gone missing. Despite efforts to locate her, including questioning Bachmurski, who mentioned that Jade had run away, her whereabouts remained unknown. A breakthrough in the case occurred when investigators found a phone containing incriminating evidence at Bachmurski’s former property.
The phone contained photos of Jade at the farm, corroborating her presence there. Deleted messages revealed attempts by Jade’s family to locate her and confirmed interactions between Jade and Bachmurski, supporting suspicions of foul play. Subsequent revelations and evidence led to Bachmurski being charged with second-degree murder in August 2024.
During the trial in 2025, prosecutors highlighted Bachmurski’s suspicious behavior and past criminal record, ultimately securing a conviction for second-degree murder. Bachmurski was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with a requirement to serve 35 years before parole eligibility, effectively ensuring a significant term of imprisonment for his actions. Jade’s family expressed their closure and condemnation of Bachmurski’s predatory actions, seeking justice for their lost loved one.
