Missing Town of Ripon Man's Former Roommate Charged with Murder

The 83-year-old Marathon County man suspected of the 1995 murder of James “Jim” Ruhland made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court Monday morning.

Jerome P. Baier is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and his bond was set at $1 million cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 1st. A status hearing will be held the day before that to make sure Baier has obtained counsel.

Baier was Ruhland’s roommate at the time of Ruhland’s disappearance in October of 1995. They lived in a farmhouse on Cork Street Road in the Town of Ripon.

According to the criminal complaint Baier told investigators Ruhland had stolen $1,200 and owed him money for rent, phone and other bills. But financial records showed Ruhland was up to date on his bills and child support.

A check Ruhland’s mother sent him for $2,500 Baier signed as Ruhland and deposited into his own account. He was prosecuted for that theft and the theft of another small check sent to Ruhland.

Ruhland was in the process of moving into another residence in Kiel when he disappeared. According to the criminal complaint twice cadaver K9s were used to sniff for human remains on the farmhouse property. Both alerted on the presence of human remains, but none were found. Ruhland has never been found.