MINNEAPOLIS 鈥� The Vault podcast has a new series.
鈥淛oli Truelson: Connecting the dots鈥� examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson 鈥�- and her family鈥檚 renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer鈥檚 confession.
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Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating that she was running away from her attacker. Critical evidence was thrown away, including the possible murder weapon. Since then, her case has gone cold.
Joli Truelson鈥檚 brother, though, always thought her death could be linked to a similar crime: the death of 25-year-old Mary Schlais in 1974.
On Nov. 7, 2024, Jon K Miller, 84, confessed to picking up Mary Schlais while she was hitchhiking in Minneapolis. When she refused to have sex with him, he stabbed her 15 times. He drove to Dunn County, Wisconsin 鈥� roughly 90 miles away 鈥� and dumped her body in a snowbank.
An eyewitness saw it all 鈥� and called it in to authorities. He described the man as being in his mid-30s with mid-length brown hair. He described the vehicle as a newer model, gold-colored, two-door car. The killer went more than 50 years without being caught, until advancements in DNA led authorities to Jon K Miller's rural Minnesota assisted living facility door. When confronted with evidence, he confessed.
With the help of Joli Truelson鈥檚 family, this series digs deep into the life and criminal history of Jon K Miller, attempting to answer the question: Did he murder Joli Truelson?
Jon K Miller has been questioned in Joli Truelson鈥檚 murder investigation, but has not been charged with any crimes related to her death.
The Vault is a Forum Communications podcast.
This episode is hosted by investigative reporter Trisha Taurinksas.
For more information on this case, visit https://www.inforum.com/people/joli-truelson
Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her friend, who watched as she drove away, told authorities the man appeared to be in his mid-30s, with mid-length brown hair.
Truelson鈥檚 body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating she was running away from her attacker. There were no signs of sexual assault.
In the months following Truelson鈥檚 death, critical evidence was thrown away, including the possible murder weapon.
Instead of a thorough investigation, Truelson鈥檚 slaying was used by the Minneapolis Police Department as a public service announcement, warning girls and young women of the dangers of hitchhiking.
Since then, her case has gone cold.
Truelson鈥檚 brother, though, always thought her death could be linked to a similar crime: the murder of 25-year-old Mary Schlais in 1974.
On Nov. 7, 2024, Jon K Miller, 84, confessed to picking up Schlais while she was hitchhiking in Minneapolis. When she refused to have sex with him, he stabbed her 15 times. He drove to Dunn County, Wisconsin 鈥� roughly 90 miles away 鈥� and dumped her body in a ditch before attempting to cover her with snow.
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An eyewitness saw it all and called it in to authorities. He described the man as being in his mid-30s with mid-length brown hair. He described the vehicle as a newer model, gold-colored, two-door car.
With the help of Truelson鈥檚 family, this series digs deep into the life and criminal history of Miller, attempting to answer the question: Is there a connection to Truelson's murder?
Miller has been questioned by the Minneapolis Police Department in Truelson鈥檚 murder investigation, but has not been charged with any crimes related to her death.
The Vault podcast is available on all major platforms. Episodes in this series will be released on Fridays. Find more cold case and true crime stories at The Vault page.
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