Bombshell breakthrough in horrific unsolved murder after DNA discovery on a 50-year-old hat

An 84-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Minneapolis woman 50 years ago.

Jon Keith Miller, 84, of Owatonna, Minnesota, was detained on a Wisconsin warrant over the death of 25-year-old Mary K. Schlais in 1974.

The huge breakthrough came following genetic genealogy testing on a hat that has been preserved ever since the grisly killing.

Schlais was found dead near an intersection in Spring Brook Township, Dunn County, Wisconsin on February 15, 1974.

She had been hitchhiking from Minneapolis to attend an art show in Chicago with witnesses at the time reporting a suspect and vehicle to police.

Jon Keith Miller, 84, of Owatonna, Minnesota , was detained on a Wisconsin warrant over the death of 25-year-old Mary K. Schlais in 1974

In 1974 it wasnt that unusual for somebody to hitchhike their way from Minneapolis to Chicago.

But its stories like this that is the reason we dont let our kids do it anymore, said Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd.

This was a very bright young lady who had a very bright future ahead of her, and her life was taken away from her way too young.

The murder weapon and vehicle involved have yet to be recovered, according to the Dunn County Sheriffs Office.

For decades, authorities pursued numerous leads and conducted interviews related to Schlais killing. As DNA technology advanced, investigators reexamined evidence but struggled to identify viable suspects. 

The huge breakthrough came following genetic genealogy testing on a hat that has been preserved ever since the grisly killing

Recently, however, the Dunn County Sheriffs Office partnered with Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, and a team of genetic genealogists. Their work led to the identification of a suspect.

The criminal complaint states that investigators met with Miller at his Owatonna home on November 7. Upon being presented with DNA evidence, Miller reportedly admitted to picking up Schlais while she was hitchhiking and ultimately stabbing her to death.

In Fridays press conference, Sheriff Bygd shared that Schlais family was relieved to hear of the arrest. He suggested that Miller, too, may feel a sense of relief after years of bearing the weight of this crime. 

I believe its got to even be a relief for him [Miller] after 50 years of living with this. It had to have been on his mind almost every day, you would think anybody with a conscience it would. So, I think he was done fighting it personally, said Bygd. 

Sheriff Bygd also acknowledged the many individuals who worked on the case over the years, especially retired Captain Scott McRoberts, whose commitment to solving this case was unparalleled. 

This is a major victory for our agency, he said.

While the Dunn County Sheriffs Office has not disclosed specific details about the DNA or how Miller was identified, a press conference with a representative from Ramapo College is scheduled for Monday, November 11, to provide additional information.

Miller appeared in court on Friday and waived extradition. He remains in custody at Steele County Jail, awaiting extradition to Dunn County.