Sister Turns to TikTok to Rekindle Search for Killer in 25-Year Cold Case of Teen Lifeguard Molly Bish

In 2021, two decades after her younger sister vanished, Heather Bish began using TikTok to share Molly's story and appeal directly to the public for information that might finally solve a case frozen for 25 years. Her posts — often beginning with the line, "It's been 7,680 days since my sister disappeared" — are part of a sustained family effort to keep the investigation alive and generate fresh leads.

The Disappearance

Sixteen-year-old Molly Bish was last seen the morning of June 27, 2000, just before a lifeguard shift at Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. Family members recall Molly playing with Heather's infant daughter, then being dropped off at the pond; when beachgoers arrived shortly afterward, Molly was gone. Her radio check-in that morning never occurred, and the lifeguard first-aid kit was found open — details that led the family to fear foul play.

Early Investigation and Leads

Local police quickly turned the case over to the Massachusetts State Police, who interviewed family, friends and Molly's boyfriend at the time. Authorities canvassed known sex offenders and issued a composite sketch after Molly's mother, Magi Bish, reported seeing a man in a white car the morning before the disappearance. Hundreds of tips followed but none produced an immediate arrest.

2003 Discovery and Forensic Search

In May 2003 a hunter discovered pieces of a weathered blue bathing suit in a wooded area called Whiskey Hill, about five miles from Comins Pond. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Ann Marie Mires led a new grid search at the site. Over several weeks investigators recovered human bones and a skull spread across roughly 35 acres. DNA and dental comparisons later confirmed the remains were Molly's, ending years of hope that she might still be alive.

Grand Jury, Suspects, and Ongoing Leads

Prosecutors convened a grand jury in 2004; family members testified but the grand jury was dismissed without an indictment in December 2006. Over the years multiple persons of interest surfaced, including Rodney Stanger and Gerald Battistoni, but investigators say there has not been sufficient evidence to charge them in Molly's death. In June 2021 the Worcester District Attorney publicly named Francis "Frank" Sumner Sr. as a person of interest; Sumner died in 2016 and DNA testing comparing recovered evidence to family reference samples was reported as inconclusive.

Renewed Review and Detective Chelsea Safford

In March 2025 Detective Chelsea Safford was assigned to the case. Her initial work involved inventorying and re-examining more than 80 boxes of accumulated files, rechecking tips and reevaluating physical evidence stored in the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab's cold storage — including the swimsuit, discarded cigarettes and Molly's backpack. Safford told reporters she believes one more overlooked detail or witness could be the key to solving the case.

Family Advocacy and Public Appeals

Heather Bish continues to press the case publicly via TikTok and other outreach, determined to keep attention on Molly's story and to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Investigators say they have received nearly 8,000 tips since Molly's disappearance and continue to test evidence as new forensic methods become available.

Remembering Molly

On June 27, 2025, the Bish family marked the 25th anniversary of Molly's disappearance and death with a graveside gathering and a public ceremony in Warren. Molly's family remains committed to seeking justice and asks anyone with information to contact the Molly Bish Tipline at 508-453-7575.

Note: The case remains active. Authorities have emphasized that DNA is only one component of an ongoing investigative effort and that certain details are withheld to avoid compromising the inquiry.