A murderer who committed a crime 50 years ago was found in the United States with the help of genetic genealogy
Kyiv • UNN
An 84-year-old man was arrested in Wisconsin for a murder committed in 1974. The suspect was found thanks to genetic genealogy, which was used for the first time in this case.
Investigators in Wisconsin have used genetic genealogy to solve a 50-year-old murder and charge an 84-year-old suspect. This was reported by CNN, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that 25-year-old Mary Schleiss was found dead at an intersection in the village of Spring Brook, Wisconsin, on February 15, 1974. The investigation revealed that she was killed on the way to Chicago, where she was hitchhiking.
Although the murder was committed 50 years ago, investigators have only now been able to charge the alleged killer, Minnesota resident John Miller, now 84 years old.
According to the county sheriff, the suspect was taken into custody on November 7 after he admitted to being involved in Schleiss' murder. Miller is currently under arrest in Steele County, Minnesota, where he is awaiting extradition to Wisconsin.
This is a great victory for us. This is the first time we have used genetic genealogy to investigate a case,
He added that for decades, detectives from various law enforcement departments had been investigating Schleiss's murder, receiving various clues and evidence, conducting interrogations, but were unable to identify the culprit. It wasn't until they began working with a group of genetic genealogy experts at Ramapo College in New Jersey that they were able to track Miller down with genetic evidence.
The sheriff also said that they encountered unforeseen circumstances with Miller's pedigree, as he was adopted.
The newspaper notes that Miller took the murder charges against him in stride.
I think it should even be a relief for him after 50 years of living with this,
He also added that many of the detectives and ex-sheriffs who investigated the case have already died.
