Advancements in DNA technology and forensic genealogy have significantly impacted cold case investigations, yielding critical breakthroughs that were previously unattainable. In 2025, several notable cases in Minnesota saw resolution, thanks to collaboration among law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, and genealogists.
Roy G. Benn’s Disappearance Resolved
Roy G. Benn, 69, vanished on September 25, 1967, after leaving the King’s Supper Club in Montevideo, Minnesota. Despite extensive searches and tips suggesting he had considerable cash on hand, little progress was made for decades. This changed in August 2025, when a fisherman discovered a vehicle matching the description of Benn’s 1963 Buick Electra submerged in the Mississippi River.
Authorities responded swiftly, deploying a dive team to retrieve the vehicle from the waters near County Road 1 in Sartell. Two months later, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Benn’s remains were found inside the car. The Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Benn died in a car crash, ruling out foul play. Investigators believe he accidentally drove into the river, bringing closure to a case that had baffled authorities for decades.
Identities of Infants Revealed Through DNA
Another significant breakthrough involved the identity of a newborn found abandoned in Blaine, Minnesota, in 1983. Advanced DNA testing in 2025 led investigators to the baby’s parents, though authorities decided against filing charges. Anoka County Attorney Brad John stated, “The evidence and the interest of justice do not support the filing of any criminal charges in this case, and we respect this family’s privacy now that our work is done.”
The baby, known as Rachel Marie Doe, was delivered by a teenage girl who was unaware of her pregnancy. Tragically, after giving birth in her parents’ home, the young mother placed the baby in a high-traffic area, hoping someone would find her. An autopsy revealed the heartbreaking nature of the case, leaving investigators with lingering questions about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.
Similarly, the identity of another child, known as “Baby Angel,” was revealed in April 2025. Discovered on September 5, 2011, floating in the Mississippi River, Baby Angel was found swaddled in a green T-shirt inside a white tote bag. The community of Winona, Minnesota, rallied around this tragic case, holding a public funeral attended by over 150 people.
The mother of Baby Angel, Jennifer Baechle, an adjunct English professor at Winona State University, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter once her identity was uncovered through DNA technology. As of now, the case remains open, with legal proceedings still underway. Baechle’s attorney filed a motion to withhold evidence, citing inconsistencies in the autopsy reports, particularly regarding whether Baby Angel was born alive.
With the next hearing scheduled for January 14, 2026, the community continues to grapple with the implications of this case, which has raised profound questions about life, loss, and responsibility.
These cases exemplify how advancements in forensic science are not only solving long-standing mysteries but also touching the lives of families and communities across Minnesota. The intersection of technology and genealogy is proving to be a powerful tool in the pursuit of justice and closure for families affected by unsolved tragedies.