Hat found at 1974 murder scene led to arrest of Jon Miller (84) in murder of Mary Schais (25)

[Bewitchingstorm]

The man who is suspected of murdering a young hitchhiker half a century ago has been arrested, thanks to DNA testing.

The arrest of Jon K. Miller, 84, was announced by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office. Miller, a resident of Owatonna, Minnesota, was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the 1974 homicide of Mary K. Schlais.

Investigators had been working on the cold case for 50 years. Schlais, a 25-year-old artist traveling from Minneapolis, was en route to an art show in Chicago when she was killed.

“Schlais was found deceased in the Township of Spring Brook,” the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “There was an eyewitness that observed a suspect and suspect’s vehicle that were believed to be connected to the homicide of Mary Schlais.”

Sheriff Kevin Bygd said a hat found at the crime scene led authorities to the suspect. Bygd announced that Miller had confessed to his involvement in the murder.

“When confronted with the evidence, 84-year-old Jon K. Miller confirmed his involvement with Mary’s homicide in 1974,” the official said.[/quote]

https://wfin.com/fox-national-news/h...ung-hitchhiker

[Boston Babe 73]

I'm overjoyed that more and more DNA advancements are leading to these arrests and that the families are getting closure because of it. However, it's a shame that this asshole got to live his entire life without the consequences of murdering that girl. And you KNOW that it probably didn't stop with just her. It's not like people pick up a hitchhiker, kill them and just never do it again or hadn't done it before. Now he'll spend a year or two in prison then die with three squares and a cot for free. That's if he even makes it to that point. He confessed, but sentencing still takes time in the court system.

[Bewitchingstorm]

Agree, Boston. He lived his life for so long after killing her. I also question if this is his only murder.