Molly Bish

Molly Bish

On June 27th, 2000, Molly Bish, the Bish family, and the citizens of our community suffered a significant loss and tragedy. Molly Bish was a 16-year-old lifeguard who began her day as she had done so many times before, being dropped off by her mother Magi at her summer job as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in the Town of Warren, Massachusetts.

An extensive search and investigation have been in progress since the date of her disappearance, and tragically, some three years later, human remains were found in neighboring Palmer, Massachusetts.

On June 9th, 2003, those remains were positively identified as Molly Bishes. The case changed from a missing person case to a murder investigation.

The Warren Police Department and the Bish family need your help solving this horrific crime that has devastated a family and forever changed a community. We hope that by outlining below the events and the information we have to date, you, the public, may help us with information or by helping to identify the person or persons responsible for this kidnapping and murder.

On June 27th, 2000, Molly and her mother, Magdeline Bish, traveled to her post at Comins Pond, where Magi would drop her off for duty. Comins Pond is a small recreational area in Warren, Massachusetts's central and residential part. On the morning of the disappearance and a day prior, Magi Bish recalls seeing a man parked in the area in a white sedan and acting suspiciously. When Molly was reported missing, an extensive ground and air search ensued, and police and searchers from all over the State came to Warren and assisted with the search. The investigation began in full force on the day of Molly’s disappearance and continued with police following all leads and examining all known suspects. As the investigation continued, a citizen hunting in the bordering Town of Palmer, Massachusetts, in the late fall of 2002 noticed a piece of fabric similar to the bathing suit Molly wore on the day of her disappearance. In May 2003, this hunter relayed the details of his earlier discovery to another person who notified police investigators. A massive search began on May 12th, 2003. The area was searched daily by over 200 searchers by hand in a shoulder-to-shoulder fashion covering an extensive section of challenging terrain in Palmer known as Whiskey Hill. On June 3rd, 2003, remains were found in this area and thought to be those of Molly. After sending these remains for forensic analysis, it was determined they were, in fact, those of Molly Bish.

The case remains active, and we again ask for your help. Recent developments have led investigators to the State of Florida, where persons of interest have been questioned. If you have any information that can help lead to the person or persons responsible for this crime, we urge you to contact the police. Data can be given via email sent directly to Massachusets State Police