Going West: True Crime — Episode 584: Mary Schlais: Hitchhiker on Highway 94

Released: February 20, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daphne and Heath revisit the chilling 1974 murder of Mary Schlais, a young artist and academic from Minneapolis who was murdered while hitchhiking to an art show in Chicago. Despite an eyewitness seeing her body being disposed of, the case went unsolved for 50 years—until recent advances in genetic genealogy finally identified her killer: 84-year-old John Miller. The hosts detail Mary’s promising life, the investigation’s many setbacks, the crucial role of DNA evidence, and examine the impact and lingering questions about possible links to other unsolved crimes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of Mary Schlais and the 1974 Crime

• Mary’s Life & Personality (03:34—06:44)

  • Born in 1948, Mary was a gifted, worldly artist—fluent in Danish and German, learning Japanese, known as a free spirit and traveler.
  • She often hitchhiked, a more normalized and less feared activity in the 1970s.
  • On February 15, 1974, she left Minneapolis for an art show in Chicago, planning her hitchhiking route carefully.

• The Crime Scene & Discovery (07:20—11:17)

  • Within three hours of departure, Mary’s body was found in a snowy roadside ditch in rural Dunn County, Wisconsin.
  • Eyewitness Dennis Anderson initially thought he saw an altercation, later realizing it was a body being dumped by a man who rushed away.
  • Significantly, Dennis mistakenly described the getaway car as gold; later, it would be clarified to be blue.

2. Initial Investigation & Decades-Long Cold Case

• Early Investigation Details

  • Mary was found with multiple stab wounds and signs of violent struggle; she remained clothed, but her coat and purse were missing.
  • Investigators had a physical description from Dennis and a distinctive black-and-orange stocking cap left at the scene.

• Missteps & Frustrations

  • The wrong car description hampered early leads (10:42—11:17).
  • Dozens of potential suspects and hair samples were compared; no matches without modern DNA capability.

• The Case Grows Cold

  • Inquiries and even exhuming Mary’s body in 2009 yielded nothing.
  • "In the year or so after Mary’s murder, over a hundred interviews were conducted... just hoping to glean any information." — Heath, (15:41)
  • An anonymous note wondered if the eyewitness (Dennis) was the killer, but he was soon cleared.

3. Breakthrough: DNA, Genetic Genealogy, and the Hunt for a Killer

• Genetic Genealogy (17:23—21:11)

  • Hair from the stocking cap eventually entered CODIS with no match. In 2021, detectives used investigative genetic genealogy, analyzing DNA with services like GEDmatch.
  • A family tree was painstakingly constructed. Non-paternal events (adoption) complicated ancestral matches.
  • "This meant that they were forced to bridge the gap between two separate families, One without knowledge of the other, Bound by DNA and brought together only by a depraved act of homicidal violence." — Daphne, (19:36)

• Identification & Arrest of John Miller (28:04—30:25)

  • Miller was found living in an assisted care facility in Minnesota at age 84.
  • "It's kind of a bittersweet thing. Part of you doesn't really want this sick piece of shit to still be alive... But the other part of you knows that justice can only be served... if he is still alive. And guess what? John Miller was." — Heath, (28:04)
  • Police noted Miller seemed unsurprised by his arrest. DNA results were indisputable.

4. Confession, Motive, and Lack of Remorse

• Miller’s Admission & Attitude (30:25—34:18)

  • Miller confessed after seeing the evidence; he’d picked up Mary, propositioned her for sex, was rejected, then fatally attacked her with a fishing knife.
  • He dumped the body and carelessly left his hat; a crucial piece of evidence.
  • Post-arrest, he was strikingly indifferent:
    • "Hardly ever. You know what, John? Go F yourself." — Daphne, quoting Miller’s lack of thought about his crime, (36:38)

• Host Commentary on Fragile Ego and Misogyny

  • "He had a very, very fragile male ego. And, you know, obviously rejection was not something that he could handle. And that's something that a lot of men can't handle. Wow. Loser." — Heath, (37:26)

5. Questions About Past Crimes and Potential Links

• John Miller’s Criminal Record (42:51—44:10)

  • Recounting a history of forgeries, robberies, and prison stints before Mary’s murder.
  • "His first charges stemmed from forgery convictions, which landed him a prison stay... and two years later, he murdered Mary Schlais." — Heath, (42:51)

• Possible Link to Jolie Murphy Trulson Case (46:06—53:58)

  • Jolie, 16, vanished hitchhiking in July 1972 from the same neighborhood.
  • The car and suspect descriptions, method (no sexual assault, hitchhiker targeted), and funeral locality closely echo Mary’s case.
  • Both families still question if Miller is responsible for both crimes, especially due to the similarities in the physical and circumstantial evidence.
  • "For now, Jolie’s case remains unsolved, and there has been no way to link it to John Miller or the murder of Mary Schleiss." — Daphne, (53:14)

6. Family Statements & Closing Reflections

• Mary’s Family Response & Impact of Justice (55:42—57:17)
  • Most of Mary’s immediate family died before the case resolution; a niece, Nina, gave a moving statement:
    • "Whenever we thought about Mary over the years, we always think of what happened to her. And I feel like now we can think about who she was as a person." — Nina, (56:31)
    • "This case is a reminder that justice has no time limit. And to families still searching for the truth, let Mary’s story be a testament that persistence, science, and dedication can bring a long-awaited closure." — Nina, (56:54)
• Broader Implications of Modern Forensic Science
  • Hosts reflect on cold cases and hope that more families achieve closure as DNA technology continues to evolve.
  • "Let this be a testament... the long arm of the law is coming for you because now we have DNA testing." — Heath, (57:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the callous killer’s demeanor:

  • "Hardly ever. You know what, John? Go F yourself." — Daphne, (36:38), reacting to Miller’s claim he ‘hardly ever’ thought about the crime.
  • "Maybe I'm cold. I think I'm cold blooded. Maybe I have no feelings. I have no idea." — John Miller, (38:18), on why he felt little to nothing for what he'd done.

• On the limitations of justice after decades:

  • "It kind of feels like... full justice was not served here because it's like, oh, yeah, oh yeah, put me away for the rest of my life. What? He got like two years left, you old bastard." — Heath, (44:13)

• On the legacy of Mary Schlais:

  • "Mary Schlais was more than a victim. She was a brilliant, independent woman, a gifted artist, an equestrian, a world traveler and a scholar. This case is a reminder that justice has no time limit." — Nina, (56:54)

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mary’s Biography and Plans

  • 03:34 — Introduction to Mary Schlais
  • 05:14 — Her final morning and hitchhiking preparations

• Discovery and Crime Scene

  • 07:20 — Eyewitness finds body
  • 08:27 — Assessment of the open, rural scene

• Initial Investigation

  • 10:42 — Tire tracks, hat evidence, car misidentification
  • 11:05 — Witness description

• Case Goes Cold & DNA Developments

  • 15:39 — Anonymous letter, number of interviews
  • 17:23 — Genetic genealogy efforts, 2021–2024

• John Miller’s Arrest, Motivation, and Confession

  • 28:04 — Miller identified and arrested
  • 30:25 — Confession motives & details
  • 32:09 — Use of fishing (fillet) knife

• Comparisons with Other Possible Victims

  • 46:06 — Similar case: Jolie Murphy Trulson
  • 51:07 — Geographic and circumstantial similarities

• Family Reflections & Legacy

  • 55:42 — Family’s reactions and statements
  • 56:54 — Nina’s powerful closing remarks

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Perseverance Pays Off: The episode powerfully demonstrates how dogged investigation and advances in forensic science can finally bring justice, even after half a century.
• A Cautionary Tale: Mary’s case is a chilling reminder of the dangers women faced (and still face), especially when traveling alone.
• Lingering Questions: The episode leaves open the possibility that John Miller may have been involved in other unsolved crimes, such as the murder of Jolie Murphy Trulson.
• Impact on Families: The delay in justice underscores the pain long-endured by families, contrasted with the cold indifference of Mary’s killer.

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