Jade Marie Colvin

Title

The Runaway Who Never Made It Home: The Disappearance of Jade Marie Colvin

Author

Benjamin Hayes

Publication Date

July 16, 2025

In an age where teenagers navigate the digital world with smartphones as extensions of themselves, the story of Jade Marie Colvin serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurk behind screens and usernames. What began as online conversations between a troubled runaway teen and a seemingly helpful older man in Iowa would end in tragedy, leaving a family shattered and a community searching for answers that may never come.

Jade's story is one that encompasses the complex realities of modern adolescence: family struggles, the allure of escape, the vulnerability of youth, and the predatory nature of those who exploit desperate children. Her case remained cold for seven years before authorities finally brought charges against the man they believe lured her to his remote farm, where she disappeared without a trace in March 2017.

A Troubled Beginning

Jade Marie Colvin was born on June 2, 2001, in a world that seemed determined to test her resilience from the very beginning. By the time she became a teenager, she had already experienced more instability and upheaval than many people face in a lifetime. Her family had moved frequently, living in Texas before eventually settling in Arizona, a pattern of displacement that would continue to characterize her short life.

By 2016, when Jade was just 14 years old, she had developed a pattern of running away from home. These weren't simply teenage rebellions or brief escapes from household rules, but more serious departures that reflected deeper issues within her family structure and personal life. Each time she disappeared, her family would worry, search, and eventually welcome her back, only to have the cycle repeat itself.

The reasons behind Jade's running away remain largely private, but court documents and investigative reports suggest a home environment marked by instability and challenges that many teenagers would find overwhelming. Like many troubled youth, Jade seemed to be searching for something she couldn't find at home: stability, understanding, acceptance, or simply a place where she felt she belonged.

Her pattern of disappearing and returning had become so routine that when she vanished again in June 2016, it initially appeared to be another temporary departure. Her family, exhausted by the repeated cycles of worry and relief, filed a missing person report with the Des Moines Police Department on June 10, 2016. At the time, no one could have imagined that this disappearance would be different from all the others.

The Digital Connection

In the months following her June 2016 disappearance, Jade remained missing but not entirely off the grid. Unlike her previous running away incidents, this time she stayed away for an extended period, moving between different cities and states while maintaining sporadic contact with family members. During this time, she went by various aliases including Samantha Hollis, Jade Calvin, Jade Stevens, Cara Stevens, Jade Murphy, Cara Murphy, and Samantha "Sam" Murphy.

Her ability to remain hidden and mobile suggested that she had found people willing to help her stay away from home, whether out of misguided sympathy or more sinister motives. During this period, Jade was learning to navigate life as a runaway teenager, developing skills that would allow her to survive on the streets and avoid detection by authorities seeking to return her home.

It was during this vulnerable time that Jade encountered James David Bachmurski online. Court documents reveal that in March 2017, nearly nine months after she had first gone missing, the 15-year-old began communicating with the 58-year-old Iowa man through electronic messaging. What attracted Jade to these conversations, and what convinced her that Bachmurski could offer her the stability and safety she was seeking, remains a matter of speculation.

Bachmurski, who operated a corn maze called "Tranquility Corn Maze" on his 400-acre property near Decorah, Iowa, presented himself as someone who could help the troubled teenager. According to investigators, he "encouraged and participated in a one-on-one relationship with Jade Colvin via electronic messaging" without her mother's knowledge for approximately a month before arranging for her to come to his farm.

The digital relationship that developed between them appears to have been carefully cultivated by Bachmurski, who used his own money to facilitate Jade's transportation from Arizona to Iowa. This financial investment suggests a level of planning and premeditation that would later become crucial evidence in the case against him.

The Journey to Iowa

In early March 2017, after approximately a month of online communication with Bachmurski, arrangements were made for Jade to travel to Iowa. In a detail that would later prove significant to the investigation, it was Jade's own mother who brought her daughter from Arizona to Bachmurski's rural Winneshiek County farm. This fact suggests that Bachmurski had somehow convinced Jade's mother that he was a legitimate source of help for her troubled daughter.

How Bachmurski managed to gain the mother's trust and cooperation remains unclear from the public record. It's possible that he presented himself as someone with experience helping troubled youth, or that he offered resources and stability that the family felt they could not provide. Whatever the case, the mother's participation in bringing Jade to Iowa demonstrates the complex nature of the situation and the skilled manipulation that predators often employ.

The property that Jade arrived at in March 2017 was isolated and expansive, consisting of more than 400 acres of farmland and woodland located on Skyline View Drive south of Decorah. The farm included a residence where Bachmurski lived, as well as the seasonal corn maze operation that provided both income and a legitimate business facade. The remoteness of the location meant that Jade would be completely dependent on Bachmurski for transportation, communication, and contact with the outside world.

According to court documents, Jade had made extensive plans with friends to communicate immediately after her arrival in Iowa. She had told them about the arrangement and promised to stay in touch once she reached Bachmurski's farm. These planned communications would never take place, a fact that would later help investigators establish a timeline for when something went wrong.

Isolation and Control

Upon her arrival at the farm in late March 2017, Jade quickly found herself in a situation far different from what she may have expected. Court records reveal that "Jade Colvin's cell phone did not have service once she arrived at his residence, and she was, therefore, cut off from the world." Whether this lack of cell service was coincidental due to the rural location or deliberately arranged by Bachmurski remains unclear, but the effect was the same: complete isolation.

The loss of cell phone connectivity meant that Jade could not contact her friends as planned, could not reach out for help if she felt unsafe, and could not maintain the independence that had allowed her to survive as a runaway for months. Instead, she became entirely dependent on Bachmurski for any communication with the outside world.

Bachmurski claimed that he allowed Jade to use his phone when she needed to communicate, but court documents indicate that "she wasn't able to use it without his permission" and that he would have "quickly discovered" any unauthorized use. This level of control over communication is a classic element of abusive and predatory relationships, allowing the perpetrator to monitor all contact with the outside world and prevent victims from seeking help.

The isolation was not just technological but also geographic and social. Jade and Bachmurski were the only people living on the remote farm, and she didn't know anyone else in the area. This meant that even if she had wanted to leave or seek help, she would have had limited options and no clear understanding of how to navigate the rural Iowa landscape to reach safety.

Court documents reveal that Bachmurski later admitted to investigators that he had considered contacting law enforcement while Jade was living with him but thought it wouldn't be good for him to tell authorities that he had a runaway girl at his house. This admission suggests that he was aware his arrangement with Jade was problematic and potentially illegal, yet he chose to continue the situation rather than seek proper help for the teenager.

The Final Communication

The last confirmed communication from Jade occurred in the early morning hours of March 30, 2017, when she sent text messages using Bachmurski's cell phone. These messages, sent to her friends, would be the final words anyone outside the farm would hear from the 15-year-old girl. The content of these final messages has not been made public, but investigators were able to confirm that Jade had indeed sent them from Bachmurski's phone.

What happened in the hours following those final text messages remains known only to Bachmurski, as he was allegedly the last person to see Jade alive. Court documents state that authorities believe she died sometime on March 30, 2017, the same day she sent her final communications. The timing suggests that whatever occurred happened quickly, within hours of her last contact with the outside world.

The circumstances of Jade's death have not been publicly disclosed by investigators, and her remains have not been recovered despite extensive searches of the property and surrounding areas. This lack of physical evidence has made the case particularly challenging for prosecutors, who must prove not only that Bachmurski was responsible for her death but also that she is indeed dead.

Witnesses later reported that months after Jade's disappearance, Bachmurski's son observed her luggage and belongings in different locations within the farmhouse. While she had been living there, her possessions were kept in the room she occupied. However, after her disappearance, her empty travel bags were found in Bachmurski's bedroom, suggesting that someone had moved and emptied them after she was no longer able to do so herself.

The Cover-Up

In the weeks and months following Jade's disappearance, Bachmurski engaged in what investigators describe as a pattern of lies and deception designed to explain her absence and deflect suspicion. According to court documents, he "lied and told others that Jade Colvin had gone somewhere after her last text, while the investigation showed she was no longer alive."

These false statements were apparently made to multiple people, including his own family members, suggesting a coordinated effort to create a believable explanation for Jade's sudden absence from the farm. The fact that he continued to maintain these false stories over an extended period indicates a level of premeditation and planning in covering up whatever had occurred.

The investigation revealed that Bachmurski made "numerous statements to several people, including investigators, that implicated himself in the disappearance and death of Colvin." These self-incriminating statements, combined with his contradictory explanations about what happened to Jade, would later form a crucial part of the evidence against him.

Perhaps most tellingly, when investigators later showed Bachmurski a photograph of Jade taken just days before her death, he immediately recognized her and made statements that suggested his guilt. "I do. I'm not gonna lie. I do. As a matter of fact, I'll guarantee you I'm getting myself in a lot of trouble. I want to tell the truth," he reportedly told investigators, though the full content of any confession has not been made public.

A Dangerous Past

As investigators delved deeper into Bachmurski's background, they uncovered a history of violence and criminal behavior that painted a disturbing picture of the man to whom Jade had entrusted her safety. Court records revealed that in 2012, he had pleaded guilty to charges of harassment, assault, and child endangerment, admitting to a pattern of abusing his own children.

The details of his admitted abuse were particularly shocking and provided insight into his capacity for violence and cruelty. According to court documents, Bachmurski admitted to tying a teenager to a chair and shocking them with a cattle prod, and to threatening his children's lives with guns. This history of extreme violence against children, combined with his position of authority and control over them, suggested a man capable of the most serious crimes.

His criminal history also included multiple firearm violations, which would later play a role in his eventual arrest. In January 2018, less than a year after Jade's disappearance, deputies conducting a welfare check at his farm discovered a loaded .223-caliber Stevens Model 200 bolt-action rifle in his bedroom. As a convicted felon, Bachmurski was prohibited from possessing firearms, leading to additional charges that would eventually help bring him back into custody years later.

These revelations about Bachmurski's past raised troubling questions about how he had been able to gain the trust of Jade's mother and convince her to bring her daughter to his farm. His ability to present a respectable facade while hiding such a violent history demonstrates the sophisticated nature of predatory behavior and the difficulty that families face in identifying dangerous individuals who target vulnerable children.

The Cold Case Years

For seven years after Jade's disappearance, her case remained cold. Local law enforcement agencies were not initially aware that she had been brought to Winneshiek County, and her family's last known contact with her in March 2017 was not immediately connected to any specific location or individual. During this time, Jade remained listed as a missing person, with age-progression photos showing what she might look like as she grew older.

Bachmurski, meanwhile, continued living on his farm until 2018, when he sold the property and moved away from Iowa. He eventually relocated to rural Swainsboro, Georgia, where he continued to live under the shadow of his past but apparently free from investigation into Jade's disappearance. The farmhouse where Jade had lived and died was eventually torn down, and the property passed to new ownership, erasing the physical evidence of what had occurred there.

During these years, Jade's family lived with the uncertainty and pain of not knowing what had happened to their daughter and sister. They continued to hope that she might still be alive somewhere, perhaps still living under one of her assumed names and simply choosing not to make contact. This hope, while providing some comfort, also prevented them from achieving the closure that might come with definitive answers about her fate.

The case might have remained cold indefinitely if not for the persistent efforts of federal agencies that specialize in tracking missing and exploited children. The U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children continued to investigate Jade's disappearance, following leads and conducting interviews even years after she had vanished.

The Investigation Reignites

In May 2022, five years after Jade's disappearance, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office received information from the U.S. Marshals Service that would reignite the investigation into her case. Federal investigators had tracked evidence suggesting that Jade had been brought to their county and had likely met with foul play there.

This revelation prompted the sheriff's office to launch what they described as a "full-scale investigation" into Jade's disappearance. Working in cooperation with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Winneshiek County Attorney's Office, and other agencies, local investigators began piecing together the events of March 2017 and building a case against Bachmurski.

The investigation involved extensive interviews with witnesses, family members, and associates of Bachmurski. Investigators spoke with his son, who provided crucial information about seeing Jade's belongings in the farmhouse months after her disappearance. They also interviewed other individuals who had heard Bachmurski make statements about Jade's fate, building a pattern of evidence that pointed to his responsibility for her death.

The investigation was complicated by the passage of time and the destruction of the original farmhouse, which meant that physical evidence from the scene was no longer available. However, investigators were able to use cell phone records, witness statements, and Bachmurski's own admissions to build their case against him.

In 2023, investigators traveled to Georgia to interview Bachmurski about Jade's disappearance. During this interview, he identified her in photographs and made statements that investigators believed implicated him in her death. These admissions, combined with the other evidence gathered during the investigation, provided the foundation for bringing charges against him.

The Arrest and Charges

On August 12, 2024, more than seven years after Jade's disappearance, James David Bachmurski was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in her death. The 65-year-old was initially in custody in Georgia on unrelated firearm charges when the murder warrant was served, highlighting how his past criminal behavior had continued to create legal problems for him.

The charges against Bachmurski represent the culmination of years of investigative work and the determination of law enforcement agencies to seek justice for Jade despite the challenges posed by the lack of physical evidence. The second-degree murder charge indicates that prosecutors believe they can prove that Bachmurski caused Jade's death, even without recovering her remains or establishing the exact method by which she was killed.

Bachmurski was extradited from Georgia to Iowa, where he appeared in Winneshiek County District Court for his initial hearing. Bond was set at $1 million cash-only, reflecting both the seriousness of the charges and the court's assessment that he posed a significant flight risk given his history of relocating to avoid scrutiny.

The criminal complaint filed against Bachmurski provides a detailed timeline of the events leading up to Jade's disappearance and presents the evidence that investigators believe proves his guilt. However, many details of the case remain sealed or have not been made public, likely to protect the integrity of the upcoming trial and the privacy of witnesses who may be called to testify.

The Defense's Response

Bachmurski's defense attorneys have mounted a vigorous challenge to the charges against their client, arguing that there are significant questions about the timeline of Jade's disappearance and death. They have filed multiple motions seeking access to records and information that they believe could support their client's innocence or at least create reasonable doubt about his guilt.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the defense strategy involves a reported sighting of Jade in Harvey, Illinois, in August 2021, more than four years after prosecutors allege she was killed. Defense attorneys have sought access to information about this sighting from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, arguing that if Jade was alive in 2021, their client could not be guilty of murdering her in 2017.

The defense has also requested records from Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, claiming that these documents contain information suggesting Jade was alive at various times after her alleged death. They have pointed to reports indicating that a social worker for Jade contacted law enforcement to report that Jade's mother knew where her daughter was more than a year after the supposed murder.

These defense motions raise complex questions about the nature of evidence in missing persons cases and the difficulty of proving death without a body. While prosecutors believe they have sufficient evidence to prove that Jade died in March 2017, the defense is arguing that there is evidence she survived beyond that date, which would fundamentally undermine the prosecution's case.

The Challenge of a No-Body Case

The prosecution of James Bachmurski for Jade's murder represents what legal experts call a "no-body" homicide case, where prosecutors must prove that a murder occurred without being able to present the victim's remains as evidence. These cases present unique challenges for both prosecutors and juries, as they require proof of death based primarily on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony.

According to legal databases, authorities have gone to trial on more than 550 no-body homicide cases nationwide, with varying degrees of success. The key to successful prosecution in these cases typically involves establishing a clear timeline of events, demonstrating the defendant's motive and opportunity, and presenting evidence that the victim could not have survived or disappeared voluntarily.

In Jade's case, prosecutors will likely focus on several key elements: her isolation at Bachmurski's farm, her complete dependence on him for communication and transportation, the abrupt cessation of all contact with family and friends, Bachmurski's contradictory statements about her whereabouts, and his own admissions that implicated him in her death.

The defense, meanwhile, will likely argue that Jade had a history of running away and could have left the farm voluntarily, that there is no physical evidence proving she is dead, and that the reported sightings of her after March 2017 create reasonable doubt about the prosecution's timeline. They may also point to the lack of a clear motive for murder and argue that their client's statements were misinterpreted or taken out of context.

The Broader Implications

Jade's case highlights several important issues that extend beyond the specific circumstances of her disappearance and alleged murder. First, it demonstrates the particular vulnerability of runaway youth, who often find themselves in dangerous situations with limited resources and support systems to protect them from predators and exploitation.

The case also illustrates the sophisticated methods that online predators use to identify, groom, and exploit vulnerable children. Bachmurski's ability to establish an online relationship with Jade and convince her family to bring her to his farm shows how predators can use digital communication to build trust and manipulate both children and their families.

Additionally, the seven-year gap between Jade's disappearance and the filing of charges highlights the challenges that law enforcement agencies face in investigating cases involving missing persons who cross state lines. The lack of immediate awareness that Jade had been brought to Iowa significantly delayed the investigation and may have allowed crucial evidence to be lost or destroyed.

The case also raises questions about the systems designed to protect runaway youth and how they can be improved to prevent similar tragedies. Jade's history of running away was well-documented, yet the systems meant to help troubled youth apparently failed to provide her with the support and protection she needed to avoid falling victim to a predator.

The Search for Justice

As Bachmurski's case moves toward trial, tentatively scheduled for March 2025, the legal proceedings will likely provide more details about what investigators believe happened to Jade during her final days at the Iowa farm. The trial will also test the strength of the prosecution's case and determine whether justice can be achieved even without physical evidence of the victim's death.

For Jade's family, the trial represents both an opportunity for closure and a painful revisiting of their loss. After years of uncertainty about what happened to their daughter and sister, they may finally get answers about her fate, even if those answers confirm their worst fears about her death.

The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of missing and exploited children, particularly those who fall through the cracks of systems designed to protect them. Jade's story serves as a reminder that behind every missing person case is a real human being whose life had value and whose disappearance creates ripples of pain and loss that extend far beyond the immediate family.

A Life Cut Short

While the legal proceedings continue, it's important to remember that at the center of this case is a young woman whose life was cut tragically short. Jade Marie Colvin was more than just a runaway or a victim; she was a daughter, a sister, and a person who deserved the chance to overcome her troubled past and build a better future for herself.

Her story reflects the challenges faced by many teenagers who struggle with family instability, mental health issues, or other factors that lead them to seek escape through running away. While Jade's running away behavior put her at risk, it was also a symptom of deeper problems that needed to be addressed with compassion and professional help rather than exploitation and violence.

The fact that Jade had survived on her own as a runaway for months before arriving at Bachmurski's farm demonstrates her resilience and survival skills. She had shown the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances and find ways to meet her basic needs even in challenging situations. With proper support and intervention, she might have been able to overcome her troubles and build a stable, productive life.

Instead, her search for safety and stability led her to a remote Iowa farm where she encountered someone who exploited her vulnerability and desperation. Her trust in Bachmurski's promises of help and stability was betrayed in the most profound way possible, ending a young life that held promise despite its troubled beginning.

The Ongoing Mystery

Even as legal proceedings move forward, significant mysteries remain about Jade's case. Her remains have never been found, despite searches of Bachmurski's former property and surrounding areas. Without her body, investigators cannot determine exactly how she died or gather the physical evidence that might provide additional details about her final hours.

The location of Jade's remains may never be discovered, particularly given the passage of time and the extensive woodland and farmland in the area where she disappeared. This reality means that her family may never have the closure that comes with being able to lay their loved one to rest in a proper burial.

The case also raises questions about whether there might be other victims of Bachmurski's predatory behavior. His pattern of using online communication to establish relationships with vulnerable individuals, combined with his history of violence against children, suggests the possibility that he may have targeted other young people over the years.

A Call for Awareness

Jade's story serves as a crucial reminder for parents, educators, and law enforcement about the dangers that vulnerable youth face in both digital and physical spaces. Her case illustrates how predators use online platforms to identify and groom potential victims, often presenting themselves as helpful figures who can provide the stability and support that troubled youth desperately seek.

The case also highlights the importance of comprehensive support systems for runaway youth, including safe housing options, mental health services, and programs designed to address the underlying issues that lead young people to leave home in the first place. Too often, runaway youth are seen as delinquents rather than vulnerable children in need of protection and support.

For families dealing with children who exhibit runaway behavior, Jade's case underscores the importance of being vigilant about online relationships and the people who enter their children's lives, particularly those who offer help or support. While most people who reach out to help troubled youth have genuine intentions, predators often disguise themselves as helpful figures in order to gain access to vulnerable children.

The Search for Justice Continues

As this case moves through the legal system, it will serve as a test of whether justice can be achieved in complex cases involving missing persons and online predation. The outcome will likely influence how similar cases are investigated and prosecuted in the future, potentially setting precedents for the use of circumstantial evidence and witness testimony in no-body homicide cases.

Regardless of the legal outcome, Jade's story has already served to raise awareness about the dangers faced by runaway youth and the sophisticated methods used by those who seek to exploit them. Her case has contributed to ongoing discussions about how to better protect vulnerable children and prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

The investigation and prosecution of this case also demonstrate the importance of persistence in law enforcement efforts to solve cold cases. The fact that charges were filed seven years after Jade's disappearance shows that cases are never truly closed when it comes to missing and exploited children, and that dedicated investigators continue working to seek justice even when cases seem hopeless.

As the legal proceedings continue, Jade's memory serves as a reminder of the precious nature of young life and the responsibility that society has to protect its most vulnerable members. Her story, while tragic, may ultimately help prevent other young people from suffering similar fates by raising awareness and improving the systems designed to keep children safe.

The search for truth and justice in Jade Marie Colvin's case continues, driven by the determination of investigators, prosecutors, and family members who refuse to let her disappearance go unanswered. While her life ended far too soon, her story continues to resonate as a call for vigilance, compassion, and action in protecting vulnerable youth from those who would exploit their desperation and trust.

Sources

Benjamin Hayes

Benjamin Hayes is a blogger with a passion for true crime and unresolved mysteries. In his free time, Benjamin is an avid hiker and photographer. He finds solace and inspiration in nature, often trekking through the scenic trails of the Appalachian Mountains.