Menomonie, WI — The cold case mystery of Mary Schlais, who was found tragically murdered in a rural Wisconsin snowbank in 1974, has finally seen progression. Nearly 50 years later, authorities in Dunn County, Wisconsin, arrested 84-year-old Jon Miller, charging him with first-degree murder in connection to the fatal stabbing.
Mary Schlais, a 25-year-old art enthusiast from Minneapolis, met a gruesome fate while attempting to hitchhike to Chicago for an art show. According to Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd, Miller allegedly picked up Schlais in the Twin Cities area before stabbing her to death. At that time, Miller resided in Pine City, offering a critical geographical link to the case.
Investigative breakthroughs unfurled when an eye-witness recounted witnessing an individual disposing of Schlais’ body from their vehicle before hastily departing the scene. This account, albeit decades old, provided a significant lead in the investigation.
A vital piece of evidence surfaced at the crime scene—a hat—abandoned alongside the victim’s body. The hat harbored traces of hair and skin cells that could not originally be analyzed due to technological constraints in DNA analysis during the early stages of the investigation. However, advancements in forensic science over the years paved the way for new analysis opportunities.
Sheriff Bygd highlighted the vital collaboration with a team of genetic genealogists from Ramapo College in New Jersey. Their expertise in tracing genetic lineages played a crucial role in triangulating the suspect through the DNA evidence extracted from the hat.
Miller’s arrest not only underscores technological advancements in criminal investigations but also marks a significant closure for the victim’s family. Sheriff Bygd expressed a sense of relief and accomplishment in being able to finally deliver this long-awaited news to Schlais’ relatives, providing them with some form of closure.
Miller’s apprehension and the subsequent charge of first-degree murder were a result of a meticulous re-examination of the case, supported by modern forensic science and collaborative law enforcement efforts. The sheriff described the arrest as a momentous event, considering the suspect was still alive to face the charges almost half a century later.
This case reiterates the importance of cold case units and their undeterred commitment to solving decades-old crimes. Even after many years, the relentless pursuit of justice remains undiminished, ensuring that no victim is forgotten and that perpetrators are held accountable, irrespective of the time elapsed.
The legal proceedings for Jon Miller are underway as he faces the charges in Dunn County Circuit Court, setting a precedent for how cold cases can be approached in the era of genetic genealogy and advanced forensic technology. As the community and Schlais’ family await further developments, this arrest serves as a poignant reminder of the persisting quest for justice in unsolved crimes.