Jade Colvin Missing Case: What Happened in the 2017 Iowa Disappearance and Murder Conviction
The disappearance and murder case of 15-year-old Jade Colvin has drawn renewed national attention as it is set to be featured on CBS’s “48 Hours.” Colvin went missing in March 2017 while staying at a farm near Decorah in northeast Iowa, a case that remained unsolved for years before investigators uncovered key evidence leading to a conviction.
Disappearance of Jade Colvin
Jade Colvin was last seen in March 2017 after arriving at a rural farm in Winneshiek County. Reports indicate she had an unstable home life and had previously moved between foster homes and different states, including Arizona. Her last confirmed communication came on March 30, 2017, shortly after she arrived at the property.
At the time, she reportedly had limited communication access and relied on the homeowner’s phone to stay in contact with others.
Investigation Reopened Years Later
The case remained cold for several years until investigators reopened the investigation in 2022. New forensic evidence, including data recovered from an old cell phone, helped authorities revisit the farm where Colvin was last seen.
This breakthrough led investigators to build a case against James Bachmurski, who lived on the property and had a prior connection to Colvin’s family.
Arrest, Trial, and Conviction
Court documents alleged that Bachmurski had communicated with Colvin online before she came to the farm. Investigators later testified that he gave conflicting statements about her disappearance.
Although Colvin’s body has never been found, prosecutors argued that multiple statements and recovered evidence linked Bachmurski to her death. He was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder in September 2025 and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Where the Case Stands Now
James Bachmurski, now serving his sentence at Anamosa State Penitentiary, will be eligible for parole after 35 years, with a possible release date around 2059.
National Attention Through “48 Hours”
The case is now reaching a wider audience through CBS’s “48 Hours” episode titled “Jade Colvin is Missing,” which explores the investigation, the evidence, and the impact on Colvin’s family and community.