Mary Schlais. Credit: Dunn County Sheriff's Office
On Feb. 15, 1974, Mary Schlais was found deceased near the intersection of 408th Ave. and 990th St. in the Township of Spring Brook, Dunn County (WI). Schlais’s death was ruled a homicide.
The initial investigation revealed that Schlais was from Minneapolis and was believed to be hitchhiking from Minneapolis to an art show in Chicago. At the time, there was an eyewitness that observed a suspect and suspect vehicle believed to be connected to the homicide.
Over the course of the next several decades, there were many tips, leads and interviews conducted related to the homicide by multiple law enforcement agencies. There were also several items of evidence examined and re-examined over the years as technological advances in DNA were developed. Still, no viable suspects were identified.
In recent years, Dunn County Sheriff’s Office Investigators began working with the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. Staff members and volunteers at the IGG Center utilized advanced DNA testing and genealogy research to identify Jon Miller, 84, as a potential contributor of DNA found at the scene of Schlais’ murder.
Investigators at Dunn County Sheriff’s Office further probed this lead and their investigation led to the arrest of Miller last week.
The IGG Center has provided leads in more than 16 cases since opening its doors in December 2022, including the recent exoneration of two brothers wrongfully convicted of murder, known to be one of only four cases in U.S. history in which IGG overturned convictions.
To learn more about the center’s work, visit ramapo.edu/igg.
Republished courtesy of Dunn County Sheriff’s Office