Inset: Jade Colvin (Iowa Department of Public Safety). Background: James Bachmurski at his trial, where he was found guilty of murdering the 15-year-old (KTTC/YouTube).
An Iowa resident is destined to spend his remaining years incarcerated for the murder of a teenage girl who vanished after being spotted on his property.
James Bachmurski, aged 66, received a 50-year prison term for the murder of 15-year-old Jade Colvin, whose body has yet to be found. Last month, he was found guilty of second-degree murder. Although Bachmurski may be considered for parole after 35 years, he will be well over a century old by then. During the sentencing, Colvin’s family voiced their anguish and anger.
Jade’s sibling, Shalie Cino, did not mince words, labeling Bachmurski a “coward,” as reported by the Cedar Rapids ABC affiliate KCRG.
“You targeted a child because you couldn’t find someone your own age,” she declared. “You saw a young, trusting soul and exploited her kindness. When you lost control, you ended her life. You are nothing but a pathetic predator.”
Cino further expressed: “May prison spare you no mercy, just as you showed none to Jade. I hope every time you shut your eyes, you are haunted by the face of the girl you took. May her voice and last words resonate in your mind every single day of your wretched life.”
Other family members read a statement from Jade’s other sister, imploring Bachmurski to reveal what he did with her remains.
“Her family and friends deserve to know the truth behind what happened to her,” the statement reportedly said. “You were the last person who saw her in person. You know what you did to her. You know where she is.”
As Law&Crime previously reported, Jade’s last known contact was on March 23, 2017. She was reportedly removed from her mother’s home in 2015 and was known to frequently run away from foster homes before moving to Arizona. There, she once again ran away after speaking with Bachmurski through social media. Bachmurski and Jade’s mother had a previous relationship.
The girl ended up on Bachmurski’s farm in Winneshiek County in March 2017, where she had no cellphone service. She spoke to a family member shortly after her arrival via the defendant’s phone, which is the last time anyone heard from her.
Cops received a tip leading them to Bachmurski, who had since moved to Georgia. The Iowa Department of Public Safety interviewed the defendant in August 2023 and April 2024. Special Agent John Turbett testified at trial about those interviews, according to a courtroom report by local NBC affiliate KTTC.
Turbett told jurors that Bachmurski didn’t seem all that surprised cops were at his door.
“I’ve just been waiting for law enforcement to come and talk to me,” Bachmurski reportedly said, per Turbett.
Bachmurski admitted Jade had been on his farm. He claimed he last saw her doing laundry before she left to go to a store. When pressed about why he didn’t call law enforcement, he reportedly told Turbett that he knew it was “illegal or wrong,” Turbett testified.
“He says, ‘I know I’m getting myself in super trouble,’” Turbett told the jury.
In the second interview, Bachmurski was not very forthcoming about Jade’s whereabouts.
“You know what? I already, a long time ago, figured I’d go to the grave before I tell the truth,” the defendant reportedly told Turbett.
During closing arguments, Bachmurski’s attorneys said Jade could still be alive today.
“No body, no evidence and no crime,” defense attorney Leigha Lattner said, per KTTC.
But prosecutors said all signs point to Bachmurski as the killer.
“She was physically okay until she met James Bachmurski,” said prosecutor Scott Brown.
