Francis Sumner Sr. still a suspect as Molly Bish case nears 23 years, prosecutor says

Dec 12, 2023

Nearly 23 years after Molly Bish disappeared while working as a lifeguard, tips keep coming in and officials are confident they will close the case.

"We get tips every day," Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said at a news conference Tuesday.

Early said the late Francis Sumner Sr., the man named a suspect in 2021, is still a suspect in the case, based on "very convincing, very persuasive" information.

Bish, then 16, disappeared from her lifeguard station at Comins Pond in Warren, when she was discovered missing on June 27, 2000. Her body was found nearly three years later a few miles from the pond.

Early discussed the importance of DNA evidence in Bish's and similar cases, as state legislators have referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security a bill that would expand the state's DNA database.

Early said while investigators and his office have faced criticism from Bish's family, with some requesting the case be transferred so a "fresh set of eyes" can re-evaluate the evidence, he doesn't plan to transfer the case.

"I think I have the best state police unit in the state," Early said.

"No stone is going unturned. We don't need a fresh set of eyes."

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early holds a news conference in the Worcester County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, to discuss the Molly Bish homicide investigation.Dave Thompson

At the time of Bish's disappearance, Early said, the scene was initially treated as a possible drowning, and in the scramble to attempt a rescue, some of the scene was compromised. Whether any of the evidence at the scene would have solved the case at the time, he said no one knows.

"You can only go with what evidence you have."

Early said his office is not actively awaiting results of any DNA testing, but will be submitting more items for testing.

Early declined to discuss the evidence in the case, despite the fact that the only named suspect is dead, telling media discussing the facts could jeopardize the investigation.

He said his office is still relying on tips, and said he thought the final conclusion would come through "a little bit of everything," including tips, physical evidence and circumstantial evidence.

Anyone with information, he said , "even if you think it's not important" should submit a tip to his office on its anonymous tip line at (508) 453-7585.

Asked whether Bish's family will have closure, Early said "I hope so."

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