FOND DU LAC COUNTY — More than three decades after James Ruland disappeared, prosecutors have charged his former roommate, Jerome Baier, with homicide. Baier, 83, appeared remotely from the Fond du Lac County Jail after prosecutors filed the case in connection with Ruland’s 1995 disappearance. Ruland was 40, a father of two, and lived with Baier at a farmhouse near Ripon. Ruland’s family reported him missing in October 1995 as he was moving out of the home. He was never seen again. Several weeks later, investigators found his car at the Stretch Truck Stop in North Fond du Lac, with the keys in the ignition and Ruland’s belongings in the back. According to the criminal complaint, Baier told police he had fraudulently cashed checks made out to Ruland, saying Ruland owed him money. Baier also acknowledged that the two men had argued, but denied that the dispute became physical. The investigation took a new turn in late 2023, when two police dogs, searching the farmhouse barn about a month apart, indicated the odor of human remains. Ground-penetrating radar and additional searches, however, did not locate evidence of a body. Investigators also searched other locations connected to Baier without finding Ruland’s remains. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said prosecutors believe the available evidence can meet the high standard required for a conviction, even without recovering a body. “We believe we have sufficient admissible evidence to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Toney said after the court appearance. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said advances in forensic testing helped corroborate information developed through interviews and other evidence analysis. The criminal complaint did not specify what new forensic evidence was obtained. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said investigators are continuing to pursue leads and asked anyone with information about Ruland’s disappearance to contact the sheriff’s office. Ruland’s family attended the hearing virtually, while Baier’s relatives were present in court. Neither family commented. Baier is being held on $1 million bail. He is scheduled to return to court next month, when additional information about the evidence may become public. The charge is an allegation, and Baier is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.