After 50 years, DNA technology leads to an arrest in the chilling 1974 murder of a Minneapolis woman—justice may finally be served.
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ST. PAUL, MN
– A
Minnesota
man has been taken into custody, accused of a murder that has haunted investigators for nearly 50 years. Jon K. Miller of Owatonna, now 84, is charged with the 1974 killing of Mary K. Schlais, a young woman from Minneapolis, who was found dead in rural
Wisconsin
. His arrest, thanks to advances in DNA technology, has revived a case long considered unsolvable, bringing long-awaited relief to Schlais’s family and a new chapter in the pursuit of justice.
Arrest and Awaiting Extradition
Miller was arrested by Dunn County Sheriff’s Office investigators last Thursday and is now held at the Steele County Jail. He is awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin, where he faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Schlais’s death. This breakthrough comes after decades of investigative work, which, according to Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd, reflects the relentless commitment of law enforcement.
Remembering the 1974 Murder Case
Schlais was last seen in February 1974. She was reportedly hitchhiking to an art show in Chicago when she disappeared. Days later, her body was discovered near the intersection of 408th Avenue and 990th Street in the Township of Spring Brook, Wisconsin. The scene immediately suggested homicide, though investigators at the time lacked the forensic tools to identify her killer.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspect and vehicle potentially connected to the crime, but the initial investigation failed to yield any arrests. As months turned into years, Schlais’s case eventually went cold, despite repeated attempts to reopen it over the years.
Advances in DNA Lead to a Breakthrough
For decades, investigators reviewed leads, conducted interviews, and preserved evidence in hopes of solving the case. Recently, they collaborated with geneticists at Ramapo College in New Jersey. With new DNA analysis methods, they identified Miller as a prime suspect. The critical piece of evidence? DNA retrieved from a hat found at the crime scene that, through forensic breakthroughs, could be linked to Miller.
Sheriff Bygd acknowledged the dedication of his team in finally identifying a suspect, giving particular credit to retired Captain Scott McRoberts for his relentless pursuit of justice in Schlais’s case.
Miller’s Alleged Confession
Following his arrest at his Owatonna residence, Miller reportedly admitted to his involvement in Schlais’s murder when confronted with the DNA evidence. Sheriff Bygd suggested that the confession may reflect Miller’s relief after living with the alleged burden of this crime for five decades, indicating that “anyone with a conscience” might struggle under such a weight.
Family and Law Enforcement Reactions
Schlais’s family, who waited nearly half a century for answers, expressed their gratitude to Dunn County investigators. According to Investigator Daniel Westlund, the family is deeply appreciative of everyone involved in bringing the case to this resolution.
As Sheriff Bygd looks back on the progress made in the case, he sees the arrest as a testament to the persistence and commitment of law enforcement. And with Miller now facing charges, the legacy of Mary Schlais may finally find some semblance of closure.
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