Cheryl Nablo, a detective with the Des Moines Police Department, has dedicated her career to locating missing children. Nablo’s personal connection to cases like that of Jade Colvin motivates her work significantly. “If you went a day not knowing where one of your kids was at, you’d go crazy,” she said, reflecting on the emotional toll of such disappearances and the necessity of community support.
## The Disappearance of Jade Colvin
Jade Colvin was reported missing in June 2016, at the age of 14, after running away from a local shelter for troubled youth. Her case was subsequently taken up by the U.S. Marshals Service as part of a statewide initiative known as Operation Homecoming, aimed at finding missing children. Nablo joined forces with Deputy U.S. Marshal Justin Wallace, Detective Chris Wuebker, and Special Agent Jon Turbett as they sought to unravel the circumstances surrounding Jade’s disappearance.
Analyzing Jade’s background, investigators discovered she had faced numerous challenges during her early life, including a troubled home environment exacerbated by her mother LaDawn’s battle with substance abuse. Tragically, LaDawn passed away three years after Jade’s disappearance, leaving the case with fewer leads and no parental insight.
### Insights into Jade’s Life
Friends and family remember Jade as an upbeat and easy-going individual, someone who tried to navigate the difficulties posed by her circumstances. Despite her mother’s struggles, friends like Dainlynn Greer recall their time together fondly, illustrating a girl who dealt with life’s challenges with resilience. “She just accepted it for what it was and dealt with it without letting it negatively affect her,” Greer remarked.
By September 2015, the Iowa Department of Human Services intervened, leading to Jade’s placement in foster care. According to Deputy Marshal Wallace, this was when LaDawn lost custody of Jade, prompting a series of relocations for the teenager among various facilities and foster homes, where she often ran away.
As investigators dug deeper into Jade’s background, they found she was adept at evading authorities, often changing her appearance and staying in contact with her mother in clandestine ways. “Her mom tried to keep her out of the police spotlight, just trying to hide her out in different places,” explained Nablo.
The last known whereabouts of Jade were determined to be at the Bachmurski farm in Decorah, Iowa, where she had been staying after her mother allegedly dropped her off. This farmhouse eventually became a focal point of the investigation, especially given its secluded location.
## Unraveling the Investigation
In 2022, Nablo and her team began to receive tips, notably from a hospital worker in Minnesota who had seen a girl resembling Jade. Despite the excitement, the trail quickly went cold when investigations proved inconclusive. Meanwhile, a digital trail of Jade’s interactions through social media emerged, providing glimpses into her state of mind and interactions with friends.
Eventually, investigators uncovered evidence that indicated Jade’s mother had been in a relationship with James Bachmurski Sr., a resident of Decorah. This revelation added complexity to the investigation, as James was the last person reported to have had contact with Jade.
During the investigation, multiple tips led back to conversations and social media exchanges between Jade and her friends, most notably a message detailing plans for future events that never came to pass. The implications were troubling as Jade’s sudden absence from the digital landscape raised concerns about her safety.
### The Role of Digital Forensics
Delving into Bachmurski’s digital footprint provided critical leads. A cellphone belonging to him was discovered, revealing photographs of Jade in the days leading up to her disappearance. These images illustrated a different narrative than previously understood, painting a picture of a youth who was still physically present yet alarmingly disconnected from her previous life.
Investigators noted that the cleaning of Bachmurski’s home following Jade’s disappearance raised red flags. Photographs showcased a previously disheveled kitchen and bedroom, now immaculate. This obsessive cleanliness sparked suspicions that indicated the potential for deliberate concealment of evidence.
As the investigation expanded, James Bachmurski’s behavior became increasingly concerning. During interviews, he displayed an unusual level of detachment and admitted being intoxicated, raising further doubts about his reliability as a witness.
## Seeking Justice
As evidence piled up, including circumstantial details and witness accounts, the investigation shifted towards potential charges against James Bachmurski Sr. In August 2024, he was officially charged with second-degree murder related to Jade’s disappearance. With the case now heading for trial, there was renewed hope that justice could be served for Jade and her family.
Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown emphasized the importance of the evidence presented, asserting that while Jade’s body had never been recovered, the factual details surrounding her last known whereabouts coupled with Bachmurski’s disturbing history painted a concerning portrait.
“Why isn’t he calling law enforcement? Why wouldn’t he do that?” Brown questioned, summoning notions of guilt encompassing a range of troubling implications. The defense, however, challenged the prosecution’s narrative, arguing the absence of definitive proof linking Bachmurski to Jane’s presumed demise.
As the trial unfolded, both the prosecution and defense braces for what would prove a challenging case. Witnesses, including family and friends of Jade, all spoke to a desire for closure, propelling investigators to continue their search for Jade. Detective Chris Wuebker expressed the need to uncover Jade’s whereabouts, emphasizing that “this isn’t one that’s gonna stop for me.”
Ultimately, while the trial would proceed, the unsolved mystery surrounding Jade Colvin’s disappearance remains a haunting testament to the struggles of many lost children and the relentless pursuit for justice on their behalf.
Source: Original Reporting
About The Author
