Its June of 2000 and sixteen-year-old Molly Bish is on day eight of her new job. Fulfilling the role her brother held the summer before, she’s the lifeguard at the local pond in her tiny New England town. In the short window of time between her mother dropping her off and the first kids arriving for swim lessons that day, Molly disappears. When a large-scale search of both the water and nearby land turns up no sign of her, everyone fears the worst and some troubling circumstances in the days leading up to her vanishing paint a terrifying picture for what could have happened.

Three years later, those worst fears were confirmed when an observant hunter found something that would lead to the tragic discovery of Molly’s remains. Ever since this time, Molly’s loving family has worked tirelessly to keep her story out there and get answers. They have become advocates for other people in their shoes and have done so much good for the world in the wake of their own unimaginable personal tragedy. All along the way detectives on the case have been trying to find the person who did this, and many people along the way seemed to have fit the part, only to later be found unconnected.

The last five years have yielded a promising suspect, but Molly’s family is still navigating the space of uncertainty and having many unanswered questions. Molly’s family has made a commitment to not allow one man’s evil undo or overshadow the memories and legacy of Molly. And I hope to carry that message as I share her story with you this week.
Part 1 is 4/13/2026 and covers everything until the search for Molly's ends in heartbreak.
Part 2 is 4/14/2026 and will pick up where episode 1 left off until current day.

TIPS: anonymous tip line at 508-453-7575 or via email at worcesterDAunresolved@mass.gov
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Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast

Source Material:

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Watching and Waiting: The Unsolved Abduction and Murder of Molly Bish Part 1