Local law enforcement continues to search for answers in case

WILLMAR - While local law enforcement has not received many new leads on Joseph “Scriver” Olson case during the past several years, Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog remains hopeful that the case will be cracked.  
“We don’t forget about it. We want to find the person who did this to Scriver and put closure to it,” Hartog said.
All detectives who initially worked on the case have since retired. Kent Bauman, the detective currently assigned to the case, said he still occasionally receives information on the case and follows up on all new tips.
“We’ve looked at some old names, we’ve revisited some theories and suspects to see if there is anything new we can add to the case,” Bauman said.
New leads have been hard to come by, but just one new lead could help solve the murder, Hartog said.
“I think it just takes the right piece of information,” Hartog said.
Local law enforcement continues to work with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reviewing evidence. Hartog said future advances in technology could be the key that unlocks the mystery of the case.  
While DNA evidence has been entered into the BCA’s database, law enforcement has been unable to match the information with a suspect.
Hartog said he could not go into specifics, but said “technology could help” identify the killer.
The BCA issued a $50,000 reward in 2002 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.
The reward still remains in effect today. The Olson case is also featured on the BCA’s Spotlight on Crime website at spotlightoncrime.org.
Hartog urges those with any information regarding the case to contact the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office at 320-214-6700.
“If there is anyone out there with information, please come forward,” Hartog said. “The case is still open and we are just looking for that break to find the person that did this.”