MN MN - Joann Bontjes, 21, body found, Martin County, 3 Oct 1975

[academicla]

On October 3rd, 1975, the body of 21-year old JoAnn Bontjes was found in the ditch off Highway 4, halfway between Trimont and Sherburne, Minnesota. Her vehicle, a white 1974 Chevrolet Vega, was found abandoned a day earlier on the shoulder of the highway, just a mile and a half from where her body would be found. She had died of a single gunshot blast to her left temple. Her body was partially closed and bruised, as if she had been beaten prior to her death.

There is little information available online about this case. I would not know about Joann at all were it not for Don Mickelson, a retired police chief from a neighboring township who has spent the past five years of his retirement trying to find justice for this almost 50-year unsolved cold case. There are many strange inconsistencies and statements (or, lack thereof) I came across and agree that there is something very fishy going on here.

CBS Local Interview with Don
Don Mickelson's Justice for JoAnn Facebook Group

 

[academicla]

Sorry, forgot to edit the title, correct title is:

Joann Bontjes, 21, Martin County, 3 Oct 1975

 

[Laughing]

Sorry, forgot to edit the title, correct title is:

Joann Bontjes, 21, Martin County, 3 Oct 1975

Clicking Report in my post, a Moderator can edit the title.

Thanks for bringing Ms. Bontjes to Websleuths!

 

[Richard]

JoAnn Marie Bontjes
BIRTH 10 May 1954
Benson, Swift County, Minnesota, USA
DEATH 2 Oct 1975 (aged 21)
Sherburn, Martin County, Minnesota, USA
BURIAL
Sherburn Cemetery
Sherburn, Martin County, Minnesota, USA


1974 Chevrolet Vega

LINKS:

UNSOLVED: JoAnn Bontjes Murder 1975

JoAnn Marie Bontjes (1954-1975) - Find a Grave...

 

[dotr]

April 4 2024

New Evidence Discovered in Nearly 50-Year-Old Minnesota Cold Case

The victim of the 1970’s murder was 21 at the time of her death.

krocnews.com

''New DNA Found At Scene of Young Minnesota Woman's Murder​

On Thursday the Martin County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release indicating they have submitted new evidence related to the murder of 21-year-old JoAnn Bontjes. ''​

''The evidence is an unknown DNA sample that was collected from the scene of the woman’s death with the assistance of the Minnesota BCA. ''

 

[cenazoic]

Don Mickelson’s Justice for JoAnne Marie Bontjes has interesting info. He’s a former police chief from St James, MN who’s been spending his retirement trying to solve this case.

 

[summergirl1]

Who killed young beautician? DNA sample ignites half-century-old Minnesota murder case

An "an unknown DNA sample" is being analyzed in hopes of finding out who shot the 21-year-old and left her body in a southern Minnesota ditch in 1975.

m.startribune.com

 

[dotr]

Apr 11, 2024
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has found new evidence involved in a cold case from 1975.

 

[Piknik]

Let's hope the DNA evidence nets some results.

 

[CG1692]

Let's hope the DNA evidence nets some results.

From what I understand from the fb post a couple of weeks ago, the DNA sample came back designated as "Unknown" which usually means the person it is associated to is not in the "convicted offender index". It will remain in the "crime scene index" until the offender is convicted of a designated DNA offence or another crime scene sample is submitted. Not knowing the source of this sample, it is possible that the scene could have been cross contaminated at the time. Could be someone from the investigative team, my two cents.