In part 2 of this series, the team at The Vault tries to track down a man previously considered a potential suspect in the 1984 murder of Kelly Jean Robinson. In the process, they run across a new potential person of interest: a convicted murderer who preyed on South Dakota workers in the 1980s. He was a free man in 1984 -- and he was known to frequent The Frontier Bar, where Kelly Robinson was last seen leaving.

For images from court documents and photos of kelly, visit: https://www.inforum.com/people/kelly-robinson

This episode is written and produced by Trisha Taurinskas.

A special thank you to Jean Monthei for her on-the-ground assistance in this series.

Forty years after a 22 year old woman was found floating in gravel pit pond in rural Minnesota, a man who was adopted an infant took two at-home DNA tests. The results led him to the discovery that his biological mom was Kelly Jean Robinson, the woman found dead in the pond. She had been murdered, and her case had gone cold.

In coordination with Kelly's family, the team at The Vault obtained the investigative file, which included never-before-released information. New suspects emerged. Details about her autopsy were exposed. And, for the first time, Kelly's family learned a very critical fact in this case: a semen sample, obtained through the autopsy, was taken into evidence.

To see images of Kelly, visit: https://www.inforum.com/people/kelly-robinson

The Vault is written and hosted by Forum News Service reporter Trisha Taurinskas.

In this episode, Trisha Taurinskas takes listeners behind the scenes of the investigative process behind the The Vault's most recent web series, "Minnesota Vice," through an interview with the author: Jeremy Fugleberg.

The series focuses on the story of Casey Ramirez, a drug smuggler who tried to hide out while living large in a little Midwest town. It examines how the feds caught up with him, and what happens to a small town's soul when it decides it won't ask too many questions.

To access to the full series, visit https://www.inforum.com/minnesota-vice

The arrest of a well-known Winona resident in the 2011 cold case death of a newborn baby found floating in the Mississippi River stunned the community.

Jennifer Baechle is a pillar in the local arts and music scene. She's a wife and mother of two, who volunteers with nonprofits and cooks for church fundraisers, including one benefiting the Winona Immigration Network. She's an English instructor at Winona State University, her alma mater.

Forensic geneology led investigators to Baechle's door, with concrete DNA evidence indicating Baechle is the mother. Yet the community is still left with one big question: Why did she wrap her baby in a tote bag and send her down the Mississippi River?

In this episode, we speak with John Molseed, a Rochester Post Bulletin reporter who has been covering the story -- and has insight into the small city's reaction to it all.

Press conference audio was provided by the Rochester Post Bulletin, a Forum Commnications newspaper.

If you have any questions or comments, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com.

In the final part of this series, we learn what the Minneapolis Police Department told Joli Truelson's family in a recent meeting -- and we learn the fate of her investigation.

For more information on Joli Truelson, including photos, visit: https://www.inforum.com/people/joli-truelson

For more information on Jon Keith Miller, visit: https://www.inforum.com/topics/true-crime

To contact Trisha Taurinskas, email ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

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In part 4 of this series examining the 1972 Minneapolis murder of 16-year-old Joli Truelson, we examine the criminal -- and violent -- history of Jon Keith Miller, a potential suspect who was sentenced in March of 2025 for the 1974 murder of 25-year-old Mary Schlais. Miller picked up Mary Schlais while she was hitchiking in Uptown. Joli Truelson was also picked up while she was hitchhiking in Uptown.

To see our print coverage on Joli Truelson, Mary Schlais and Jon Keith Miller, visit: inforum.com/thevault

This podcast is hosted by Forum News Service reporter Trisha Taurinskas. You can contact Trisha by emailing her at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

In part 3 of this series, we cover the plea/sentencing hearing of Jon Keith Miller for the 1974 murder of 25-year-old Mary Schlais.

Miller has been questioned in Joli Truelson's 1972 murder.

Both girls hitchiked in Uptown Minneapolis before being killed. Schlais' body was dumped in a Wisconsin snowbank. Joli's body was found in Minneapolis' Minnehaha Creek.

Jon Keith Miller was arrested for Schlais' murder in November 2024 after DNA analysis confirmed at the scene. Before confessing to investigators, he repeatedly denied killing Mary.

To contact Trisha Taurinskas, email ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

This is part 2 in the series, "Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots," which examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family's renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer's confession.

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's 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 – roughly 90 miles away – and dumped her body in a ditch.

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. 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's 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's 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. To reach Trisha, email her at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

For more information on this case, visit https://www.inforum.com/people/joli-truelson