WARREN, Mass. — A “person of interest” has been named in the murder of Molly Bish, a 16-year-old lifeguard who vanished from her post at a Massachusetts pond in 2000.
Francis “Frank” P. Sumner Sr., who died in 2016, is being investigated in the 2000 murder after investigators recently received new information, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. announced Thursday.
Sumner, born in 1945, lived and worked in the central Massachusetts area from 1960 through 2016, according to investigators. He was known to operate auto repair shops in the Spencer, Leicester and Worcester areas. Sumner lived in Spencer before his death.
Investigators said they are seeking tips from the public about Sumner’s employment practices, associates, vehicles, travel and any known habits.
Molly Bish was a resident of Warren and her disappearance set off a massive search.
Her remains were found about 5 miles away in 2003 in the woods of Whiskey Hill in nearby Palmer.
In 2017, the family of Bish released a video in which her mother, Magi Bish, speaks directly to the abductor about the day her daughter disappeared.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less