By Seth Boyes,
A former Decorah man is accused of murdering a teenage girl in March of 2017.
James David Bachmurski, of Swainsboro, Georgia, was extradited to Winneshiek County in June, following what authorities called a lengthy cold case investigation which spanned multiple states. The 65-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder — a Class B felony. He is currently being held without bond in the Winneshiek County Jail.
Bachmurski is believed to have killed 15-year-old Jade Marie Colvin in late March of 2017. A criminal complaint filed on Monday said Colvin was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department on June 10, 2016. The U.S. Marshal Service contacted the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office in May of 2022 regarding the case, saying Colvin was believed to have come to Winneshiek County prior to her disappearance. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office then launched an investigation with the aid of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Winneshiek County Attorney’s Office.
Teen disappeared after arriving at Bachmurski farmhouse
Investigators found Bachmurski “had encouraged and participated in a one-on-one relationship with Jade Colvin via electronic messaging for approximately 30 days prior to her coming to stay at his residence.” A criminal complaint said Bachmurski told authorities Colvin’s mother was unaware of their communicating, and “he had used some of his own money to facilitate Jade Colvin being brought to his residence in March of 2017.”
Investigators also discovered Colvin had “extensive conversations with friends her age, and that they planned to communicate immediately after her arrival in Iowa in late 2017.” A criminal complaint said Bachmurski told law enforcement the 15-year-old’s cell phone had no service once she arrived at his property in the 2000 block of Skyline View Drive in rural Decorah. Bachmurski told authorities he allowed Colvin to use his phone — which records confirmed, according to the complaint.
“The messages sent by Jade Colvin from the defendant’s cell phone during the early morning hours of March 30, 2017, were the last messages ever known to be received by any person,” the criminal complaint said.
Later interviews with Bachmurski’s son confirmed Colvin had been at the rural farm property in March of 2017, and her property — such as her luggage — was observed at the farmhouse “a few months after Jade Colvin was gone.”
“The defendant admitted that he lied and told others that Jade Colvin had gone somewhere after her last text, while the investigation showed she was no longer alive,” the complaint said. “Additionally, he made false and contradictory statements to others, including investigators and his son.”
Bachmurski skipped 2019 court date
Bachmurski himself seemed to disappear in early 2019.
A Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Deputy helped conduct a welfare/probation check in early January of 2018 at Bachmurski’s residence. The deputy observed a Stevens .223 caliber rifle fitted with a scope in Bachmurski’s closet — Bachmurski was not allowed to possess weapons as a condition of his probation in a previous willful injury case. He was charged with control of a firearm by a felon, and he later posted bond after pleading not guilty.
Court filings in that case show Bachmurski’s defense attorney had lost contact with his client by February of 2019. The attorney said Bachmurski had sold his residence and was not responding to phone calls or text messages.
“It is possible that the defendant has moved out of state, and his intentions to return are unknown,” the defense wrote in a motion filed on Valentine’s Day of 2019.
Bachmurski failed to appear in court the following month, and a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest that same day. The warrant was originally valid for one year, but prosecutors later asked the court to strike the warrant’s expiration date — which a judge granted.
Court records indicate authorities were able to interview Bachmurski at some point in 2023, asking him if he recognized a picture of Colvin.
“I do,” Bachmurski is quoted as saying. “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.”
Authorities served Bachmurski a warrant on June 20, 2024, for his possession of the Stevens rifle. The 65-year-old was transported from the Emanuel County Jail in Georgia to the Winneshiek County Jail and was served a warrant in the murder case on Monday — more than seven years after Jade Colvin disappeared.
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said the murder case remains an open and active investigation with the possibility of additional charges and arrests.
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