WEST BROOKFIELD, MA (WHSM) -
A new lead in a 12-year-old case could bring Massachusetts state police all the way to Florida.
The Worcester District Attorney's office said Tuesday that items found in the trailer of convicted killer Rodney Stanger could lead back to the case of 16-year-old Molly Bish.
A collection of children's hair combs and barrettes and two safety deposit box keys recovered from the trailer of Stanger is now connecting two women who each lost a sister to a violent crime.
"My sister is not his first victim," said Bonnie Kiernan, sister of Chrystal Morrison who was killed in 2008.
Last month, Kiernan was finally able to journey down to the Summerfield, FL trailer where her sister was killed.
There she found a collection of barrettes and hidden in a cabinet, Stanger's wallet, with two safe deposit keys tucked inside.
She took the items and called Heather Bish, Molly Bish's sister.
"I was grateful that she would come forward. I think when you're involved with a crime or a victim of a crime, there's a certain fighting spirit inside of you," Heather Bish said.
She and her family have been fighting for 12 years now for answers. Her sister, Molly Bish was taken from her post as a lifeguard at Comins pond in 2000.
Since then Stanger's name has come up in the investigation. The Warren native was known to frequent the area where Molly Bish was taken and where her remains were found. State police have even interviewed him in connection with Molly Bish's death.
With this recent development, Heather Bish said there is a renewed hope that is shadowed by doubt.
"This journey has been like an ongoing nightmare. It's hard for me to believe it's been 12 years because I'm still captivated by the same fear and the same desperation to find the person that killed my sister," Heather Bish said.
Tuesday, State Police collected Kiernan's findings. Heather Bish said she doesn't recognize any of them to be Molly Bish's belongings.
But each of these sisters who are fighting to find the truth about Stanger and his involvement in Molly Bish's death believe the mystery keys may unlock the hidden link in this crime.
"I do believe there is a connection and I believe we're going to find that connection in the safety deposit boxes," Kiernan said.
Stanger is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in Florida for killing Morrison.
Heather Bish said that state police told her they will review the items and safety deposit box, but have not set a timeline.
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Sketch of suspect
Molly Bish
