Unsolved Case: 30th anniversary of the abduction of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen from Sturbridge

STURBRIDGE, Mass. — Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the abduction of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen from Sturbridge. This case remains one of the state’s most troubling unsolved homicides.

Holly Piirainen was last seen at about noon on August 5th, 1993, while visiting her grandmother’s waterfront summer home in Sturbridge.

Holly vanished while she and her five-year-old brother set out to play with a neighbor’s newborn collie pups.

Holly’s brother came back home, alone. Holly was gone, only her sneaker was left behind.

Weeks later, on October 23, 1993, hunters found Holly’s body, five miles away, in the woods near Five Bridge Road in Brimfield.

Holly’s killer has never been found.

Boston 25 reporter Bob Ward has covered this case for years, including the most recent story back in February when the Hamden County District Attorney shared a photo of a white tank top that was recovered near the crime scene.

Authorities are hoping this T-shirt recovered might help break this unsolved case.

It is a simple white tank top T-shirt with the word Boston printed across the front in blue, purple, and pink, but it could be a critical clue in the still unsolved murder of Holly Piirainen.

The T-shirt was recovered by Massachusetts State Police in October 1993 in the woods of Brimfield, in the area where Holly’s body was located.

And now this T-shirt is emerging as a tantalizing clue.

“I’m glad that it’s being shared. I hope that it does bring that tip that we are waiting for,” Carla Jackman, Holly’s Aunt said.

Jackman is now the spokesman for Holly’s family, who attended the DA’s news conference.

Three decades have not dimmed their hope for justice.

“She was my niece, she was her granddaughter, she was a sister, a daughter,” Jackman said. “Just the family would really, really, appreciate some closure.”

Holly Piirainen’s family is offering a $40,000 Reward.

If you have any information, contact the Holly Piirainen Tip Line at: 413-426-3507.

Source: Body exhumed in Mass. in connection with unsolved disappearance, murder of Holly Piirainen

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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