The Whole Package: The Mary Schlais Case

This episode discusses the abduction and murder of a young woman. While details are handled with care and without graphic description, some listeners may find the subject matter disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know has been affected by violence, support resources are available. In the United States, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Listen to Episode 2 here.

Sources & References

This episode was researched using court records, law enforcement press releases, and published news reporting. All quotes have been verified against original sources.

Primary Sources

COURT RECORDS

• Dunn County Circuit Court – Jon Keith Miller case records (2024-2025)
• Criminal complaint and charging documents (November 2024)
• Sentencing documents (March 27, 2025)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Dunn County Sheriff’s Office press conferences (November 2024)
• Sheriff Kevin Bygd statements
• Investigators Dan Westlund and Jason Stocker statements

FORENSIC SCIENCE

• Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center
• DNA analysis methodology (stocking cap hair samples)

OFFENDER CRIMINAL HISTORY

• Minnesota State Reformatory records (1959-1963)
• California Superior Court records (1969)
• San Quentin prison records
• Forum News Service criminal history investigation (May 2025)

News Sources

TELEVISION / VIDEO

• KARE 11 (Minneapolis) – Lou Raguse interviews with Jon Miller (November 2024 – March 2025)
• WEAU (Eau Claire) – Arrest and sentencing coverage
• CBS Minnesota – Cold case features (2011, 2017, 2024, 2025)

PRINT / ONLINE

• Forum News Service – “After 50 years, Mary Schlais’ killer brought to justice” (November 2024)
• Forum News Service – Criminal history investigation (May 2025)
• CNN – “Mary Schlais Wisconsin 1974 cold case solved” (November 2024)

PODCASTS

• “Aren’t You the Girl?” – Episode 2: Mary Schlais
• “Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots” – Forum Communications/The Vault

Quote Attributions

JON KEITH MILLER (Convicted)

• “I knew why you were here” – KARE 11, November 2024
• “I picked this girl up…” confession – KARE 11 Lou Raguse interview
• “Maybe I have no feelings” – KARE 11, March 2025

SHERIFF KEVIN BYGD

• “In 1974, it wasn’t that unusual…” – WEAU, November 2024
• “I believe it’s got to be a relief…” – KARE 11, November 2024

NINA MARY SCHLAIS (Niece)

• “Mary Schlais was more than a victim…” – CBS Minnesota, March 2025
• “Is there closure? I think closure is a process…” – WEAU, March 2025

DON SCHLAIS (Brother)

• “I don’t really have any more anger…” – CBS Minnesota, 2011

PROSECUTOR ANDREA AMIDON NODOLF

• “18,528. That’s the number of days…” – WEAU, March 2025

OTHER SOURCES

• Detective Craig Koser quotes – CBS Minnesota, 2011
• Mary Dodge (neighbor) quotes – CBS Minnesota, November 2024
• Dan Westlund quotes – CBS Minnesota, November 2024

Reference Sources

PARANORMAL FOLKLORE

• Chad Lewis, “The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations”
• Local accounts documented in “Aren’t You the Girl?” podcast

RANDALL WOODFIELD (Excluded Suspect)

• CBS Minnesota reporting on 2011 DNA exclusion
• Dunn County Sheriff’s Office statements confirming exclusion

Additional Resources

For more information on forensic genetic genealogy:

• Ramapo College IGG Center: ramapo.edu/igg
• DNA Doe Project: dnadoeproject.org

For victim support resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): rainn.org

Credits

Research and fact-checking conducted using publicly available court records, published news articles, law enforcement press releases, and verified interview transcripts.

All information about Jon Keith Miller is based on his videotaped confession, court records, and conviction. Miller was sentenced to life in prison on March 27, 2025.

Special thanks to the Ramapo College IGG Center for their work in solving this case, and to Lou Raguse of KARE 11 for his investigative reporting and interviews.

Editorial & Legal Disclaimer

Crime Decoded is a documentary-style podcast focused on forensic science, investigative methods, and publicly documented criminal cases.

All information presented in this episode is drawn from court records, law enforcement statements, contemporaneous news reporting, and publicly available sources believed to be reliable at the time of production. Statements attributed to individuals are presented as reported or quoted opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or producers.

This episode discusses an individual who was formally charged, convicted, and sentenced for murder. No allegations are made against any person beyond what has been publicly established through official investigations and legal proceedings.

Crime Decoded is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not speculate beyond verified facts.

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Episode: The Whole Package: The Case of Mary Schlais

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