Cheryl Nablo is a mother of three and a detective in the Des Moines police department. She works to help find missing children. The case of Jade Colvin, a 14-year-old girl who went missing in 2016, is one that has affected her deeply.
Detective Nablo thinks about Jade often, especially as a parent. “If you went a day not knowing where your child was, you’d go crazy,” she reflects.
Jade was reported missing after she ran away from a youth shelter. In 2022, Nablo collaborated with U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement to reignite the search for Jade under a program called Operation Homecoming, designed to locate missing kids.
As they investigated, it became clear that Jade had a challenging upbringing marked by family struggles. Her mother, LaDawn, lost custody to the state when Jade was 13. LaDawn had battled substance abuse, impacting their relationship. Sadly, LaDawn passed away three years after Jade disappeared, complicating the search.
Jade’s friends remembered her as cheerful despite her difficulties. Dainlynn Greer, a close friend, shared, “She was a ray of sunshine.” LaDawn had only limited contact with Jade after she entered foster care, often trying to keep her out of the system.
Jade became skilled at hiding, changing her appearance and avoiding authorities. Tandra Brus, Jade’s aunt, expressed her worries during those years. “I really believed she’d call me. I wanted her to know we were there for her.”
In 2021, the search gained traction with numerous tips coming in from across the nation. A hospital worker in Minnesota thought they might have seen Jade, but it wasn’t her. It was a lengthy and complex investigation.
Eventually, tips led detectives to social media, revealing Jade had been in contact with her mother as recently as March 2017. Nablo discovered Jade had been living in Arizona with her mother shortly after fleeing the shelter. Unfortunately, things took a dark turn when LaDawn’s boyfriend, James Bachmurski Sr., became a focal point in the investigation.
Bachmurski maintained he had dropped Jade off at the shelter, where she vanished. As investigators examined his property, they found something significant—a cellphone belonging to James. This phone contained photos of Jade, including some taken shortly after her last known communication.
Despite piecing together evidence, including Bachmurski’s troubled past, the case remained open while the lead detectives urged the public for any information.
The investigation gained momentum when detectives realized that James’s behavior was suspicious. His explanations didn’t align with what they had learned, and it raised red flags about what might have happened to Jade.
In August 2024, James Bachmurski was charged with second-degree murder. Tandra Brus, Jade’s aunt, felt a mix of relief and heartbreak upon hearing this news. “I just wanted her to come home,” she said.
Today, the family continues to hope for closure, seeking not just justice but also to bring Jade home for a proper farewell. Detective Nablo emphasizes that this is about more than just a conviction; it’s about finding Jade.
Jade’s family and friends still struggle with their absence, constantly sharing stories and memories to keep her spirit alive. As Detective Wuebker notes, “This isn’t over. We want to find Jade, no matter how long it takes.”
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48 Hours, Iowa, Crime
