Sister Turns to TikTok as New Detective Reopens 25-Year Mystery of Molly Bish

More than two decades after 16-year-old lifeguard Molly Bish vanished from Comins Pond, her family continues to press for answers as investigators reexamine the cold case. Heather Bish went public on TikTok in 2021 to keep Molly's name alive and to solicit tips. In 2025 a new detective took over the investigation, vowing to comb through decades of files and re-test evidence with modern forensic methods.

The Disappearance

On the morning of June 27, 2000, Molly Bish, then 16, left for her lifeguard shift at Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. She had been playing with Heather's infant daughter moments earlier. When beachgoers arrived, Molly was gone. Her shoes and an open first-aid kit were left at the post, and Molly failed to check in on the required radio — details that alarmed family and investigators.

Early Investigation And A Sketch

Local police quickly referred the case to the Massachusetts State Police. Detectives interviewed family, friends and acquaintances and canvassed known sex offenders in the area. Molly's mother, Magi Bish, reported seeing a man in a white car the day before Molly disappeared; a composite sketch based on that sighting was widely circulated and generated many tips, but no definitive identification.

A Break Three Years Later

In May 2003 a hunter found fragments of a weathered blue bathing suit about five miles from Comins Pond at a site known as Whiskey Hill. Forensic anthropologists organized a detailed grid search of the area; over the following weeks investigators recovered bones and a skull scattered across roughly 35 acres. DNA and dental records confirmed the remains were Molly's.

Grand Jury, Suspects And Ongoing Frustration

A grand jury convened in 2004 produced testimony but resulted in no indictment. Over the years, several people received attention in tips and investigative leads — including Rodney Stanger and Gerald Battistoni — but prosecutors say they lacked the evidence required for charges. The family has expressed frustration at the pace and level of disclosure from officials, while law enforcement has emphasized the need to protect investigative details.

Person Of Interest Named

In June 2021 the Worcester District Attorney's Office publicly named Francis “Frank” Sumner Sr. as the only person of interest in the case. Sumner, who died in 2016, matched aspects of earlier sketches and had a criminal history. Investigators sought genetic comparisons but faced challenges: Sumner had been cremated and his DNA was not in the national database. Attempts to analyze related samples produced results described to the family as "inconclusive." Authorities say DNA is only one element of a broader investigation.

Renewed Focus In 2025

Detective Chelsea Safford joined the case in March 2025 and immediately began organizing more than 80 boxes of accumulated files and evidence. Safford is reexamining past tips, prioritizing items for modern testing, and reviewing evidence stored at the Massachusetts State Police crime lab — including the navy-blue swimsuit, cigarette packages and Molly's backpack. Investigators say nearly 8,000 tips have been submitted since 2000 and that tips continue to arrive.

Family Advocacy And Public Outreach

Heather Bish has used social media — notably TikTok — since 2021 to share Molly’s story, urge witnesses to come forward and keep public attention on the case. The Bish family marked the 25th anniversary of Molly’s disappearance on June 27, 2025, with a memorial and community gathering in Warren. They continue to press for answers while cooperating with law enforcement.

If you have information that could help investigators, contact the Molly Bish Tipline at 508-453-7575.

Note: This account synthesizes reporting and public statements by family members, prosecutors and investigators. Some investigative details remain confidential to protect the integrity of an active case.