Idaho Man Arrested for 2019 Murder of Ex-Girlfriend; Additional Charges Filed

Jordan Jarrad Law, a 46-year-old ex-boyfriend, has been arrested and charged with the 2019 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Rae Allison Berwanger, in Idaho. Berwanger, 54, was reported missing on March 7, 2019. The Bonner County Sheriff's Office had identified Law, who lived near Berwanger, as a person of interest during the investigation into her disappearance, as per a news release.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Berwanger had been facing challenges with substance use, but was reportedly making significant progress towards sobriety shortly before her disappearance. Berwanger's brother-in-law, Jimmie Bailey, mentioned that after a disagreement with Law, she expressed the desire to relocate to Washington state.

Law's Allegations and Actions

Following Berwanger's vanishing, Law informed authorities that she had mentioned the possibility of leaving the area to visit a friend. He also alleged that he had sold her a vehicle for $800 a mere three days before her disappearance. Law claimed that both Berwanger and the vehicle were missing, but he later found the abandoned car and transported it back home. However, detectives later discovered that Law had utilized Berwanger's bank cards at two establishments after her disappearance, withdrawing $1,200 in increments of $400. Security footage captured him driving the vehicle he claimed to have sold her.

Legal Consequences

As a result of these allegations, Law was apprehended for allegedly misusing the bank card. Following a prolonged investigation, authorities announced that Law would face murder charges. He was indicted with a charge of murder in the second degree, offering false evidence, and destroying evidence. Additionally, he is facing two charges of rape related to another victim discovered during the investigation.

Laws apprehension took place in Spokane, Washington, and police stated that evidence from the Idaho State Police's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative played a crucial role in leading to the charges. Although the specific details of this evidence were not disclosed, it contributed significantly to the development of the case.

Ongoing Coverage and Insights

Kerry Breen, a news editor at CBSNews.com, is responsible for covering this case. With a background in journalism from New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, Breen has previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital and covers a wide range of issues, including substance use.

The community impacted by Berwanger's disappearance and the subsequent developments continues to grapple with the weight of the allegations. The ongoing legal proceedings and the efforts to seek justice for Berwanger have drawn attention and support from various quarters, reflecting the community's desire for resolution and accountability.

Legal Proceedings Ahead

As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus now shifts towards the pursuit of justice in this complex and distressing case. The charges brought against Law have set the stage for a process that will require thorough examination of evidence, legal arguments, and testimonies, with the ultimate goal of establishing accountability for the alleged crimes.