After 30 Years, Body Pulled from Mississippi River Identified as Missing Illinois Man | Crime Alert 6AM 10.14.25

2025-10-14

A cold case that spanned more than three decades has finally been solved, thanks to new developments in DNA technology. Authorities in Jefferson County, Missouri, confirmed that remains discovered in the Mississippi River in September 1994 have been identified as Benny Leo Olson, a man from Illinois. His body was recovered south of Festus and later buried in an unmarked grave in 1995, after investigators were unable to determine his identity at the time. The Jefferson County...

A cold case that spanned more than three decades has finally been solved, thanks to new developments in DNA technology.

Authorities in Jefferson County, Missouri, confirmed that remains discovered in the Mississippi River in September 1994 have been identified as Benny Leo Olson, a man from Illinois. His body was recovered south of Festus and later buried in an unmarked grave in 1995, after investigators were unable to determine his identity at the time.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office credited recent forensic advancements for helping bring closure to the case.

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