Investigators yesterday identified a deceased man they believe was in the wooded area of Brimfield where 10-year-old Holly Piirainen’s body was found in 1993 — a cold case murder that has eluded authorities for 18 years.
Evidence found at the crime scene near Piirainen’s body was recently tested and forensically linked to David E. Pouliot of Springfield, who died in 2003, according to Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni. Authorities did not identify the evidence tested, but claim the location, nature and condition of the item suggests Pouliot or someone associated with him was in the immediate crime-scene area.
Authorities are not calling Pouliot a suspect, but they are urging anyone who may have interacted with him from 1993 to 2003 to come forward.
“Developing as much information as possible about David Pouliot, with the assistance of the public, is vital to fully follow up on this new lead,” said a statement from Mastroianni.
Piirainen, of Grafton, went missing in August 1993 while vacationing with her family in Sturbridge.
She had walked to a residence nearby to play with some puppies but never returned. In October 1993, hunters discovered her skeletal remains.
