MENOMOMIE, Wis. — An 84-year-old Owatonna, Minnesota, man has admitted to the fatal stabbing of a hitchhiker 50 years ago in northwest Wisconsin. Sheriff Kevin Bygd said that Jon Keith Miller was confronted with genetic evidence at his home in Owatonna and fessed up to the 1974 deed. Miller was jailed in Owatonna until his return to Wisconsin could be arranged. The criminal complaint alleges that Mary K. Schlais, 25, of Minneapolis, was hitchhiking to an art show in Chicago. Further, according the complaint, Miller stabbed her and dumped the body near Elk Mound at 408th Avenue and 990th Street. No weapon was found. Three witnesses saw a suspect and a vehicle. “Tips, leads and interviews” over the years came to nothing until genetic genealogists at Ramapo College in New Jersey, made a DNA match that pointed to Miller. The sheriff called the arrest “a huge victory for our agency.” He singled out retired sheriff’s captain Scott McRoberts for an unwaverung passion to solve the case.

Verbatim

Bygd: “In 1974 it wasn’t that unusual for somebody to hitchhike their way from Minneapolis to Chicago. But it’s stories like this that is the reason we don’t let our kids do it anymore This was a very bright young lady who had a very bright future ahead of her. I believe it’s got to even be a relief for Miller after 50 years of living with this. It had to have been on his mind almost every day.”