Dunn County Sheriff Investigators Solve Cold Case 1974 Murder of Mary Schlais

On February 15, 1974, Mary K. Schlais was found deceased near the intersection of 408th Ave. and 990th St. in the Township of Spring Brook, Dunn County. Mary’s death at that time was ruled a homicide.

The initial investigation revealed that Mary was from Minneapolis, MN and was believed to be hitch- hiking from Minneapolis, MN to an art show in Chicago, IL. There was an eye-witness that observed a suspect and suspect vehicle that were believed to be connected to the homicide of Mary Schlais.

Over the course of the next several decades there were many tips, leads, and interviews conducted related to this homicide by multiple law enforcement agencies. There were also several items of evidence examined and re-examined over the years as technological advances in DNA were developed. Still, no viable suspects were identified.

In recent years, Dunn County Sheriff’s Office Investigators began working with Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey and their team of Genetic Genealogists. Through investigative genetic genealogy a viable suspect was identified.

On November 7, 2024 Dunn County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested Jon K. Miller (84) of Owatonna, MN for the homicide of Mary K. Schlais. Jon Miller is in custody and awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

D74-67 HOMI Release

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Fatal Vehicle Crash - Town of Spring Brook

On July 17, 2024, at approximately 10:46 AM, the Dunn County Communication Center received a 911 call, of a semi truck that was involved in a crash with an SUV.   The crash occurred on 710th St at 240th Ave in the Town of Spring Brook in Dunn County.  The caller reported that the driver of the SUV was not responding. 

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, the Menomonie Fire Department, WI State Patrol and Dunn County First Responders responded to the scene.   Upon arrival Deputies and EMS crews discovered the lone occupant of the SUV no longer had a pulse and life-saving efforts were attempted but he could not be revived.   

The Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and pronounced the driver of the SUV deceased.

Preliminary investigation shows that a loaded log truck was traveling eastbound on 240th ave, and the SUV operated by a 77 YOA male was southbound on 710th St.  There was a stop sign on 710th St at the intersection that the SUV did not stop at and continued into the intersection where he was struck.   The operator of the SUV was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.   The driver of the semi was not injured.  

The crash remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, WI State Patrol and the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The name of the SUV driver is being withheld pending notification to the family.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

D24-01163 - TAFA Release

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UTV Theft Suspect Arrested - Ridgeland

A felony arrest warrant has been issued for Alex Shearer for theft of an UTV after the Ridgeland Tractor Pull that occurred on Memorial Day weekend. The UTV has been recovered. The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance with any information related to this incident or the whereabouts of Alex Shearer. 

You can call the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office at 715-232-1348 or Inv. Marty Folczyk at 715-231-2925.  Information can also be provided anonymously through the dunncocrimestoppers.com website or the P3 Mobile Tips app. 

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office.