'48 Hours' to Air Jade Colvin Case Saturday as Winneshiek County Investigators Reflect on 3-Year Pursuit of Justice

It's your town. Your lives. Your stories. Make sure someone's telling them—donate to Decorah News now. DECORAH — An upcoming episode of "48 Hours" examining the investigation into the death of Jade Colvin is scheduled to air Saturday April 18, bringing national attention to a case that Winneshiek County investigators say became deeply personal over the course of a three-year investigation. According to a preview released by the program, the episode focuses on how "photos discovered on an old cell phone help solve the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl." Correspondent Natalie Morales reports the story. The program features interviews with Winneshiek County Detective Chris Wuebker, along with prosecutors and other officials involved in the case against James Bachmurski. Colvin was brought from Arizona to Iowa by her mother in early spring 2017 and was staying at a rural Winneshiek County farm. Authorities say she was last seen or heard from shortly after arriving in Iowa. In May 2022, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office was notified by the U.S. Marshals Service, working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, that Colvin had not been seen or heard from since shortly after her arrival in 2017. Investigators immediately launched a full-scale investigation. Following that investigation, authorities determined Bachmurski was responsible for Colvin's death. On August of 2024, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office charged Bachmurski with second-degree murder. A jury later convicted Bachmurski of Colvin's murder following a multi-agency effort involving local, state and federal authorities. The case drew significant attention in Winneshiek County, in part because Colvin's body has not been recovered. Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx said the case had a profound impact on those who worked it. "This was a case that we were all very close to. [It involved] a child who had been born into a life of hardship and dysfunction and had not received justice," Marx said. "Our mission in every case we investigate is to seek truth and justice." "However, this case took on an entire passion of its own. It became more than an investigation. It became a part of us," he said. "Even though none of us ever knew Jade, she became part of our family. We poured three years into an intense investigation that took us to all corners of the country to find justice for Jade." "'Justice for Jade' and 'No Stone Left Unturned' were more than just our mottos and guiding principles, we lived them." Marx said the sheriff's office plans to watch the broadcast together when it airs. "When it airs Saturday night, we will be watching it together as an office with our families," he said. "While we participated in filming, we have not seen the finished product and will be seeing it for the first time along with the rest of the nation." "We are very proud of the work we did to bring justice to a child who otherwise may never have received it," Marx said. "We appreciate '48 Hours' recognizing the magnitude of this case and the resources and time that were dedicated to it." Marx also thanked partner agencies, including the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Winneshiek County Attorney's Office, for their roles and assistance in closing the case. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, focuses on crime and justice cases and has contributed to reopening cold cases and exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. The episode was filmed in part in Decorah and Des Moines and will revisit the investigation and prosecution for a national audience. The program is scheduled to air Saturday, April 18 at 9 p.m. Central on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+. The full preview can be viewed below. The preview for Saturday's 48 Hours Episode, titled "Jade Colvin is Missing" Your inbox, upgraded! Subscribe for free and enjoy handpicked stories, helpful advice, and local insights delivered weekly.