Piirainen family still looking for answers 25 years later

GRAFTON – “She had a good scene of humor and a really infectious laugh, almost like a shrill,” said Carla Jackman, describing her niece, Holly Piirainen, while flipping through photo albums from over two decades ago. “She was very responsible for a young age. She loved the outdoors, whether it was sliding in the winter, or swimming in the summer.”

In August of 2018, another Hope for Holly tip campaign will be held at the Host in Sturbridge from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the cold case, with the aid of Cold Case Consultant Sarah Stein. A vigil for Holly will follow immediately after the tip campaign concludes.

“I give the Piirainen’s a lot of credit for never losing hope. We are very hopeful we will find answers,” said Stein. “As long as people keep coming forward with any information, even if you think it’s insignificant.”

The early years

On Aug. 5, 1993, around 12 p.m. when Piirainen was 10-years-old, she was in Sturbridge with her father and Jackman’s brother, Richard Piirainen, when she reported missing. The last time she was seen, she was in the area of Allen and South Shore roads to play with puppies at a residence on South Shore Road.

When her family began to search for her, all that was located was one of her shoes.

She was reported missing by her father, who began to search for her. Police were notified, and a massive search began.

Jackman said she can remember when she found out and arrived on scene in Sturbridge.

“I think I just turned numb from that point. At first, I was like ‘This can’t be true,’” Jackman said. “’They’re going to call, they’re going to say they found her.’ But then when we drove out to Sturbridge and they had that command station setting up, I got this pit in my stomach, I felt nauseous. Then it was disbelief. My poor brother he was out there by himself with the kids. They wouldn’t even let him go out and search. Because it could throw off her scent. He was a wreck, he’s a quiet guy, doesn’t really show it, but I could tell he was falling apart.”

She said that in the days following, the family began to wonder how long Holly could survive outside, but despite the surreal situation, life went on because it had to.

“You have to move on with your life and try to keep a stiff upper lip for the kids,” said Jackman. “It was just tough when she was missing. It was like limbo – Rosary every night.”

Three months later on Oct. 23, 1993, Holly’s body was found in Brimfield by hunters in a wooded area off of Five Bridge Road in Brimfield.

Jackman said the day Holly’s body was found, was just as jarring. Her mother, Holly’s grandmother, arrived at her home and told her that Holly’s body was found, and they drove to Brimfield.

“We asked, ‘Are you sure it’s her? Are you sure?’ They said, ‘Yeah we’re sure, we found the other sneaker.’” Jackman said. She began to cry. “We asked can we see her. They said, ‘You don’t want to see her.’”

Jackman said after dental records were brought to police, they confirmed it was her.

Holly’s family, including her younger brothers as well as cousins gathered together and stood in shock.

“I remember Andy, Holly’s oldest brother, he said he was going to pretend she was away at summer camp. When I tried to talk to him he just said, ‘I’m just pretending she’s at Camp Marshall.’ He didn’t want to talk about it.”

The investigation into Holly’s murder

The case was originally with Worcester County District Attorney John Conte’s office, but was turned over to Hamden County in 2003, shortly after Molly Bish’s body was found, according to Jackman.

Jackman added that she remembered sending a fax to Conte asking why the case was transferred to Hamden County the day before going to Bish’s funeral.

“We didn’t like him because he did that,” said Jackman. “He wasn’t really out there like he was when Molly went missing, he wasn’t in public talking about it.”

District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s office is currently assigned to the case.

There was a tip campaign held in Oct. of 2017, according to Stien.

“Tips did come in,” Stein said. “Some tips were about the same people called in early in the case. All the information was given to the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hamden District Attorney’s Office.”

Stein got involved in the case in the summer of 2017.

“I’m no longer consulting for Molly Bish’s family,” said Stein. “I learned through mutual acquaintance of both families that Holly’s investigation did not receive nearly as much attention as Molly’s, which I was aware of. I was also given info that they had outside consulting but not nearly as consistent. I didn’t know that they didn’t have consistent consultants. I actually apologized when first met them we were all in tears said if I had known early that they needed help.”

Speculation of a connection between Bish’s and Holly’s murders has been discussed.

“There is always a possibility,” Jackman said. “Until we find out a who killed either of them I wouldn’t rule it out.”

For anyone who may have information, contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's Office at 413-505-5993. A text-a-tip can be used texting the word CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) and type the word SOLVE into the body of the message followed by any tip.

Jackman said the family has remained hopeful not only because of DNA technology, working with police and Stein, as well as a vigil planned this summer, but for their love of Holly.

“As time goes on, you say, ‘I can’t believe it’s a year.’ The first holidays were hard, then all of a sudden, its two years, three years,” said Jackman. “You get your hopes up with a certain lead - really up - in the beginning. Then as time goes on, you don’t get your hopes up so much. That little flicker of hope, that flame of hope that it’ll someday be solved always remains. It has to.”