Arrest in Town of Ripon Man's Disappearance

Early Friday morning Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s detectives made an arrest for the 1995 disappearance of James “Jim” Ruland.

The arrest of 73-year-old Jerome Baier was at Baier’s home near Spencer, Wisconsin in Marathon County on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

Ruland was last seen on October 24th, 1995, and a witness reported they may have seen him hitchhiking in North Fond du Lac on October 26th, 1995. He has not been seen since. He was 40 years old at the time and was living in the Town of Ripon. His vehicle was later located at the Stretch Trucks Stop in North Fond du Lac.

Over the past 31 years, law enforcement has conducted extensive efforts to locate Ruland. Evidence uncovered during the investigation shifted the case from a missing person inquiry to a homicide investigation. Eventually advances in forensic technology and tests of previous evidence helped corroborate information gathered through interviews and other evidence analysis.

Ruland’s remains still haven’t been found but sufficient probable cause led to Jerome Baier’s arrest. Baier was Ruland’s roommate at the time of his disappearance. Baier is expected to make his initial court appearance Monday morning.