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1994 Mississippi River Body Identified Through DNA Advances

7/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A body discovered in the Mississippi River near Festus, Missouri, in 1994 has been identified as Benny Leo Olson from Edwardsville, Illinois. His remains, buried in an unmarked grave in 1995, were finally recognized thanks to groundbreaking advancements in DNA technology, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.

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Story summary

A body discovered in the Mississippi River near Festus, Missouri, in 1994 has been identified as Benny Leo Olson from Edwardsville, Illinois. His remains, buried in an unmarked grave in 1995, were finally recognized thanks to groundbreaking advancements in DNA technology, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.