Bonner County man arrested for second-degree murder

(Bonner County, Idaho) On March 7, 2019, Rae Allison Berwanger was reported missing to the Bonner County Sheriff's Office by a close family friend. During the investigation, 46-year-old Jordan Jarrad Law, formerly of Bonner County, was identified as a person of interest in the case.

Following a lengthy investigation by Bonner County Sheriff's Detectives and with the assistance of the Idaho State Police Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program, Jordan Law was indicted by a Bonner County Grand Jury on September 17, 2024 for:

Count 1 – Second Degree Murder

Count 2 – Presenting false or forged documents for recording

Count 3 – Destruction of evidence

Count 4 – Rape – resistance is overcome by violence

Count 5 – Rape – resistance is overcome by violence

Counts 4 and 5 related to another victim discovered during the investigation.

With the assistance of the Bend (Oregon) Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service, Jordan Law was located and taken into custody in Spokane on September 18, 2024.

The US Marshal for the District of Idaho, Brent Bunn, praises the steadfast investigative efforts of the Bonner County Sheriff's Office and expressed his gratitude for the rapid work of the various law enforcement agencies in several states to Remove a Violent offenders from the community.

US Marshal Bunn noted: “The valuable partnerships with local, state and federal Law enforcement agencies enable our task forces to identify violent offenders for arrest.” US Marshal Bunn added: “Our relationship with the Idaho Department of Correction, Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the US Border Patrol were integral in ensuring “I arrested Law yesterday.”

Craig Thayer, US Marshal for the Eastern District of Washington, added: “Inter-Agency Partnerships between different states have once again contributed to Successful arrest of another violent offender who must now face criminal justice System.”

The Idaho State Police (ISP) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program provided investigative and forensic support and funding for this investigation. ISP received three grants from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through the SAKI program to support Idaho law enforcement efforts to collect and process legally owed DNA samples. These grants also support the resolution of cold cases involving violent crimes, sexual assault, homicide, and unidentified human remains through cutting-edge forensic analysis.

If anyone has any additional information, please contact Detective Swanstrom with the Bonner County Sheriff's Office at 208-263-8417, extension 3204.