In 2015, Jade Colvin, aged 13 at the time, entered foster care alongside her siblings. The reason for this placement was her mother’s substance abuse issues and mental health struggles. Due to the circumstances, authorities deemed foster care as the most appropriate solution since Jade had no contact with her father.
Over a span of nine months, Jade transitioned through various facilities and foster homes. Uncomfortable with living among strangers, she yearned for her mother, LaDawn, back in Iowa. Jade frequently ran away, seeking refuge with her mother or other relatives, often changing her appearance to evade detection. Despite her efforts to stay hidden, Jade’s sociable nature and love for staying connected with friends made it easy for authorities to track her down each time she ran away.
On June 10, 2016, Jade fled from a youth shelter, successfully evading authorities’ attempts to locate her. Reported as a runaway, she hid with acquaintances and family members, contemplating the freedom she would gain once she turned 18. Unbeknownst to the authorities, in March 2017, just after her 15th birthday, Jade disappeared without a trace, leaving her family in the dark about her whereabouts.
Following LaDawn’s passing in 2019, Jade failed to attend her mother’s funeral, shocking her relatives. With nearly two years of silence, concerns grew. In 2020, the US Marshals initiated Operation Homecoming, a campaign aimed at locating missing children across multiple states. Investigating Jade’s case, they delved into her last known movements.
Jade’s social media activity ceased abruptly on March 30, 2017, leaving a void in her digital presence. Evidence revealed that LaDawn had arranged for Jade to stay at a farm in Decorah, Iowa, owned by James Bachmurski, whom she had met online. The farm, situated on 400 acres of land and woodland, provided a temporary sanctuary for Jade while LaDawn sought stability to reunite with her daughter.
Upon arriving at the farm on March 23, 2017, Jade’s communication dwindled, eventually ceasing altogether. Bachmurski claimed that Jade had fled once more, failing to notify the authorities out of fear. Subsequent investigations unearthed critical evidence, including images of Jade on Bachmurski’s old phone, proving her presence at the farm.
In a tragic turn of events, Bachmurski’s reluctance to cooperate culminated in suspicions of Jade’s demise. Subsequent inquiries and forensic evidence led to Bachmurski’s arrest in August 2024 on second-degree murder charges. The subsequent trial in 2025 exposed Bachmurski’s disturbing past and ultimately resulted in his conviction and a 50-year prison sentence.
Jade’s family, deprived of closure by her absence, found solace in the justice served for their beloved daughter. Shalie, Jade’s sister, condemned Bachmurski as a predator, ensuring that his actions were met with the consequences he deserved.