SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - A white tank top is a piece of evidence in the Holly Piirainen homicide case the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office wants to know more about.


What You Need To Know

  • In 1993, 10-year-old Holy Piirainen went missing during a vacation in Sturbridge

  • Piirainen's remains were found months later in nearby Brimfield

  • A white tank top with a blue, purple and pink colored Boston motif on the front which was seized near the crime scene in 1993 is now viewed as a vital clue in the homicide

  • The Hampden District Attorney's office is asking anyone who has any information on Holly's homicide or white tank top to reach out to the department immediately

Holly was 10 years old in 1993, and on vacation with her family in Sturbridge when she went missing. She was last seen by her father heading towards a home near Allen and South Shore Roads to see and play with puppies.

Law enforcement searched for months until Piirainen's remains were found by hunters in the woods in nearby Brimfield.

"This a white tank top style shirt," Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said at a press conference Wednesday. "With a blue, purple and pink colored Boston motif on the exterior front. The shirt has no tags or size information."

Piirainen's Aunt Carla Jackman said it's been a long and painful 30 years, but she's hopeful the public will help with a breakthrough in the case.

"I hope it does bring that tip that we're waiting for," Jackman said. "Try not to get on a roller coaster about getting our hopes too high about it. Just kind of seeing what will happen, remaining calm."

Gulluni’s office said investigators recently identified the t-shirt and other items for further forensic testing. He’s also asking for the public’s assistance and said any information about the shirt should be relayed immediately.

"We're interested in determining who owned the shirt," said Gulluni. "It's origin, or places where it was known to be sold. Anything about it's manufacturer or any information regarding it's association with the area where Holly was found in the Five Bridge Road Area of Brimfield."