Justice for Holly
Previously Unseen Evidence Released in Murder of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen
By Shawn R. Dagle
Investigators have released never before seen evidence in the murder of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen.
In the summer of 1993 Holly disappeared after leaving her grandmother’s cottage in Sturbridge, Massachusetts with her younger brother to see puppies at a home nearby.
Two months later Holly’s skeletonized remains were discovered by hunters in a wooded area near Five Bridges Road in Brimfield.
On February 1 Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni held a press conference in Springfield with Holly’s family where evidence in the case was made public for the first time.
At the press conference Gulluni released images of a white tank top found in the “vicinity” of where Holly’s remains were discovered.
“We are seeking the public’s assistance for any information about this shirt. We are interested in determining who owned the shirt, its origin or places where it was known to be sold, anything about its manufacture or any information about its association with the area where Holly was found,” said Gulluni.
The district attorney said the tank top has no tags or information regarding its size and investigators are unsure whether it’s a tank top for a female or male.
The front of the tank top has a “blue, purple and pink colored Boston motif” printed on it according to Gulluni.
The district attorney would not say whether any DNA had been obtained from the tank top.
At the time of her disappearance and murder Holly was ten years old.
“On August 5, 1993 Holly had been vacationing with her father and other family members at a cottage in Sturbridge. She was last seen by her father at about 11:45 a.m. heading toward a residence around Allen and South Shore Roads in Sturbridge to play with puppies she knew were at a home,” explained Gulluni.
Holly had left the cottage with her younger brother who had returned home by himself before they made it to the home with puppies while his sister continued on. When Holly didn’t return her father reported her missing approximately an hour after she had left.
“Her father immediately began searching for her finding only her sneaker on South Shore Road. Police were notified and a massive search began by local and state police, sheriff departments and law enforcement contingents from the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island,” explained Gulluni.
Police and volunteers spent weeks searching for Holly. No trace of the missing ten-year-old however was found.
“Sadly on October 23, 1993 Holly’s remains were found by hunters in a wooded area off Five Bridges Road in the Town of Brimfield,” said Gulluni.
Following the discovery of Holly’s remains investigators combed the area for evidence.
“The crime scene was photographed and processed by personnel from the Massachusetts State Police including the Crime Scene Services Section and Crime Laboratory and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Items discovered at or near the location of Holly’s remains were documented seized and have been maintained by the Massachusetts State Police ever since,” said Gulluni.
While investigators have so far been unable to make an arrest in Holly’s murder the case has always been at the forefront of their efforts.
“Holly’s case has remained in focus and continually reviewed to determine if the application of further forensic and scientific examination would be beneficial,” he explained.
Some of the items that were discovered when Holly’s remains were located were chosen in the last six months to be the subject of further forensic examination according to the district attorney.
The tank top has been in the possession of investigators since Holly’s remains were discovered in October of 1993.
“It’s always been a matter of interest. Recently it has come more into focus. Given some forensic testing it is important for us now to put the pieces of the puzzle together at this juncture,” explained Gulluni.
The district attorney would not say whether the tank top was found with Holly’s body only that it had been found in the “vicinity.”
“Someone owned it, someone wore it, someone brought it to that area. Presumably people might have seen who owned it. It is distinctive…we are hopeful someone is going to recognize it,” he said.
The district attorney also refused to comment regarding a deceased Springfield man whom his predecessor, Hampden DA Mark Mastroianni, in 2012 said had been forensically linked to the crime scene.
That January Mastroianni told reporters that forensic tests on an unnamed item found in the woods near Holly’s remains were linked to deceased Springfield native David Pouliot.
A former worker for the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department and Westfield Department of Youth Services Pouliot was educated in the Springfield school system and was a union carpenter. During Vietnam he served with the Coast Guard.
According to Mastroianni Pouliot had no arrests for violent or sexually related crimes but had been in police custody at one time.
It appears that Pouliot was arrested in May of 1985 for driving under the influence after he hit a parked car and then attempted to flee in Chicopee.
Growing up Pouliot was a Cub Scout and was an avid hunter and fisherman. According to Mastroianni he had strong connections to the woods where Holly’s remains were found.
In 2012 Mastroianni declined to officially name him as a suspect in the case but held a press conference seeking more information on Pouliot from the public.
At the press conference earlier this month Gulluni refused to comment on Pouliot and would only say that there are persons of interest in the case.
The district attorney urged members of the public if they have information regarding the tank top or Holly’s murder to step forward.
“We are here today to issue a clarion call to the public and to the community as a community to finally bring justice for Holly and her family,” said Gulluni.
According to the district attorney Holly would have celebrated her 40th birthday on January 19.
“For nearly thirty years the Piirainen family has been coping with this unimaginable tragedy. Throughout that time law enforcement has never stopped working to bring justice for Holly and her family,” he said.
Gullini encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact Holly’s tip line at 413-426-3507.
-February 8, 2023
Sources
The Boston Globe “Evidence Stirs Hope in Cold Case” Peter Schworn January 4, 2012
Transcript-Telegram “Man Charged in Accident” May 12, 1985
Transcript Telegram “Advancement Awards Given By Pack 424” January 17, 1969
Masslive.com Obituary David Pouliot 2003
Hampden County DA’s Office
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