MENOMONIE, Wis. — After more than 50 years, Thursday marked the resolution of an unsolved homicide in western Wisconsin.
After entering a no-contest plea in Dunn County Circuit Court, Jon K. Miller, 84, of Owatonna, Minn., was sentenced to life in prison on a count of first-degree intentional homicide.
Miller fatally stabbed 25-year-old Mary Schlais in Minneapolis in February 1974. Her body was found in the township of Spring Brook.
Members of Schlais’ family attended the hearing to hear the conclusion to a case that has been shrouded in mystery for more than five decades.
“Today marks the end of a 50-year journey — one that is filled with loss, perseverance and finally justice,” said Nina Schlais, Mary’s niece who was born after her murder. “While no verdict can undo the pain of losing Mary, we take comfort in knowing that the man responsible for her murder has been held accountable. Mary Schlais was more than a victim; she was a brilliant and independent woman, a gifted artist, an equestrian, a world traveler and a scholar.
“For decades, our family lived with unanswered questions, but thanks to the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals we now have those answers.”
Based on the sentencing structure back in 1974, any parole date for Miller’s life imprisonment sentence would be determined by the Department of Corrections. Furthermore, the court ordered restitution in the amount of $2,200.
According to police, a stocking hat left near Schlais’ body included hair samples that were used to create a DNA profile of the suspect. Authorities were able to track down Miller after a family member of the suspect uploaded a DNA sample to a public database in spring 2023. When confronted, authorities said he agreed to his involvement in Mary Schlais’ death.
It took the Investigative Genetic Genealogy team from Ramapo College in New Jersey more than a year to track down Miller, largely because he was adopted and members in his family tree weren’t aware of his existence.
Mary Schlais’ death was ruled a homicide in 1974. The investigation revealed that Schlais was from Minneapolis, and was believed to be hitchhiking from Minneapolis to an art show in Chicago. An eyewitness observed a suspect and suspect vehicle that were believed to be connected to the homicide.
“I think we have continued to feel relief,” said Nina Schlais. “Sadly, whenever we thought about Mary over the years, we always thought of what happened to her, and I feel like now we can think about who she was as a person, and not just that final day. That will be what we will continue to do.”
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