Jamison Bachman seemed like a successful and trustworthy man. With his charming demeanor and a law degree, he appeared to have it all. However, Bachman had a dark secret – he was a serial squatter. Armed with his knowledge of tenancy laws, he avoided paying rent by exploiting legal loopholes and even went as far as trying to remove his housemates from their own properties. What started as unconventional behavior eventually escalated into violence, leading to a tragic and horrifying end.
The Early Life of Jamison Bachman
Jamison Bachman was described by childhood friends as being incredibly self-assured. He excelled at almost everything he tried, and his parents thought he could do no wrong. A quote from his high school yearbook hinted at his future: “Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others’ experiences.”
According to reports, Bachman briefly attended Tulane University after high school. However, one fateful night at a fraternity dinner, he witnessed a murder that profoundly affected him. While the incident was traumatic, Bachman exaggerated the details, claiming his friend was “beheaded.” Following this ordeal, Bachman returned home and became more secretive and paranoid.
He continued his education and earned a master’s degree in history at Georgetown University, where he was recognized as an exceptional student. After spending several years overseas, he obtained his law degree from the University of Miami. Despite failing the bar exam on his first attempt and never trying again, Bachman found other ways to employ his legal knowledge.
Jamison Bachman’s Path to Becoming a Serial Squatter
It remains unclear when Bachman decided to swindle unsuspecting roommates out of rent money, but by 2006, he had perfected his technique. He moved in with Arleen Hairabedian, initially claiming he would only stay for two months. However, those two months turned into four years, during which he only paid one month’s rent. When Hairabedian decided she had had enough and filed an eviction notice against him, Bachman retaliated by accusing her of threatening him with a knife. She was arrested, and he took all her pets to kill shelters.
For the next seven years, Bachman continued his pattern of moving from one house to another, presenting himself as a polite lawyer facing sudden hardships. He would pay the first month’s rent by check but then find various excuses to avoid paying thereafter, using legal jargon to manipulate his housemates. It became evident that Bachman derived sadistic pleasure from causing discomfort to others.
How Alex Miller Went Head-To-Head with ‘Jed Creek’
In 2017, Bachman approached Alex Miller, posing as Jed Creek, a lawyer from New York. He stated that he needed to care for an ill family member in Philadelphia and paid the first month’s rent upfront. Despite their initial friendship, things quickly turned sour when Miller requested Bachman’s contribution to the utility bill. In response, he threatened her with legal action.
Bachman’s behavior became increasingly bizarre, resulting in Miller uncovering his real name and the numerous complaints against him. Determined to take a stand, Miller organized a house party, publicly shaming Bachman as the “Serial Squatter.” Bachman lashed out, leaving the premises, only to return the next day and attack Miller, stabbing her in the thigh.
The Serial Squatter Becomes a Murderer
After Bachman’s arrest, his brother, Harry, bailed him out of jail. However, Bachman’s rage and unhinged behavior caused his brother’s wife to refuse him entry into their home. This rejection pushed Bachman over the edge. On November 3, 2017, he beat Harry to death, stole his credit card, and fled the scene. When Harry failed to meet his wife as planned, the police found his lifeless body at the bottom of his basement stairs.
A search for Bachman began, and he was eventually discovered in a hotel room. He was returned to jail to await trial for his brother’s murder. However, Bachman never faced justice. On December 8, 2017, he took his own life in his jail cell, ending his reign of terror but leaving behind a trail of shattered lives.
The story of Jamison Bachman, the “Worst Roommate Ever,” serves as a chilling reminder of how deception and manipulation can have devastating consequences. The Netflix series, Worst Roommate Ever, highlights Bachman’s criminal exploits, shedding light on the terrifying reality that was his life.