In a shocking turn of events, a cold case that haunted investigators for nearly 50 years has finally been solved, bringing closure to the family of Mary Kathleen Schliz, who was brutally murdered in 1974. The breakthrough came through advanced forensic genetic genealogy, leading authorities to 84-year-old John K. Miller, who has now confessed to the horrific crime.

Mary, a vibrant 25-year-old artist, vanished while hitchhiking from Minneapolis to Chicago on February 15, 1974. Her body was discovered later that day, stabbed 15 times and left in a snowbank, a victim of a predatory driver who had offered her a lift. Initial investigations yielded little, with leads going cold and the case slipping into obscurity. For decades, the identity of Mary’s killer remained a mystery, leaving her family in anguish.

However, in 2022, renewed efforts by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Ramapo College, reignited hope. Utilizing cutting-edge DNA technology, investigators traced potential relatives of the killer, ultimately leading to Miller. When confronted, he confessed to the crime, stating that Mary’s refusal of his 𝑠e𝑥ual advances drove him to violence.

Miller’s criminal history, marked by fraud and robbery, painted a picture of a man who had eluded justice for far too long. He was arrested and charged, and on March 27, 2025, he was sentenced to life in prison for Mary’s murder, a grim conclusion to a case that had long been labeled unsolvable.

Mary’s family expressed relief and gratitude to law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice. While they mourn the loss of their beloved artist, they are now able to celebrate her life, finally free from the shadow of her tragic death. As the courtroom proceedings concluded, the chilling reminder of a cold case turned warm serves as a testament to the power of modern forensic science in the relentless quest for justice.