Advancements in DNA technology and forensic genealogy have made significant impacts on cold case investigations in 2025, leading to resolutions in cases that had remained unsolved for decades. This progress has resulted from collaborative efforts among law enforcement, forensic laboratories, and genealogists nationwide. Notable cases featured by The Vault highlight the transformative power of these technologies.
Roy G. Benn’s Disappearance Resolved
Roy G. Benn, who disappeared on September 25, 1967, has finally been found, bringing closure to a case that baffled authorities for over fifty years. Benn was 69 when he vanished after being seen leaving the King’s Supper Club in Montevideo, Minnesota. Eyewitnesses reported that he was dressed impeccably, wearing a suit and adorned with gold and pearl cuff links, and they noted he had a significant amount of cash on his person. Alongside his disappearance, his car, a 1963 metallic blue Buick Electra, also went missing.
On August 10, 2025, a fisherman using sonar equipment discovered a vehicle submerged in the Mississippi River near Sartell. Authorities dispatched a dive team, which confirmed the vehicle matched the description of Benn’s Buick. In November, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office reported that Benn’s remains were inside the car. The Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Benn died in a car crash, ruling out foul play and indicating that the vehicle ended up in the water as a result of the accident.
Identities Revealed in Tragic Cases
The identity of a newborn found abandoned in Blaine, Minnesota, in 1983 also came to light this year, thanks to advanced DNA testing. The baby, known to the community as Rachel Marie Doe, was discovered by investigators to belong to parents whose identities remain private. 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.”
Rachel was delivered by a teenage girl who was unaware of her pregnancy. Tragically, after giving birth alone, the mother placed the infant in a busy area, hoping someone would find her. Investigators believe the autopsy revealed that Rachel had not been alive at the time of her abandonment, a detail that has brought some measure of resolution to this heartbreaking case.
In a separate case, the identity of another infant, dubbed “Baby Angel,” was unveiled this year. Discovered on September 5, 2011, in a tote bag along the Mississippi River, Baby Angel sparked widespread community support in Winona, Minnesota. The baby girl was found by boaters and was not alive at the time of discovery. The community held a public funeral attended by over 150 people, and they maintained her gravesite as a tribute to her memory.
The investigation into Baby Angel’s identity revealed that her mother, Jennifer Nichole Baechle, is a prominent member of the Winona community and an adjunct English professor at Winona State University. In April 2025, Baechle was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter. The case remains ongoing as legal proceedings continue to unfold. A hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, where inconsistencies in the autopsy reports will be examined, particularly concerning whether Baby Angel was born alive or stillborn.
These recent breakthroughs underscore the significant role that modern DNA technology plays in unraveling the mysteries surrounding cold cases. As law enforcement agencies continue to enhance their investigative techniques, more families may find the answers they have long sought.
