For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
Or 508-688-5565
WORCESTER – Twenty-four pieces of evidence collected from the crime scenes in the Molly Bish murder will be submitted to a laboratory for enhanced DNA testing in September when the upgraded tests become available, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
“The science is always getting better,” Mr. Early said. “We feel that the improved testing will help us in our efforts to identify Molly’s killer or killers.”
The improvement in DNA testing could make degraded samples that are now unusable, usable for determining DNA.
Mr. Early made the announcement in advance of the 16th anniversary of Molly’s disappearance from Comins Pond in Warren on June 27, 2000. Molly, 16, and a resident of Warren, was a lifeguard at the pond. Her disappearance set off a massive search.
Her remains were found nearly three years later in the woods of Whiskey Hill in nearby Palmer.
Soon after taking office as district attorney, Mr. Early formed a cold case squad to look at older cases such as Molly’s. After meeting with Molly’s parents, John and Maggie Bish, he changed the name of the unit to the Unresolved Case Squad.
“John Bish had asked me not to call it a cold case squad because he felt it made it seem the cases were on a shelf somewhere collecting dust,” Mr. Early said. “So I changed it. These cases are not forgotten and they are being worked on continuously. We get tips on Molly’s case every week and we track down every lead.”