'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Like many of its iconic cases, People Magazine Investigates is now set to take a look at William Bradford Bishop in its upcoming episode, which is also taking an interesting route to covering the crimes of the mass murderer and fugitive who has been at large since he killed his entire family and fled in 1976.
The upcoming episode of People Magazine Investigates titled My Father Was a Mass Murderer will cover this case from the perspective of Kathy Gillcrist, a retired drama teacher, whose quest to find her biological father ended in discovering that she was the daughter of William Bradford Bishop, one of the most infamous killers in the history of Maryland.
This episode airs at 9 PM EST on December 23, 2024, on ID. The synopsis for the same reads:
Trending
"Retired drama teacher Kathy Gillcrist embarks on a journey to find her biological parents. Her worst fears come to fruition when she discovers police want her father for one of the most infamous mass murders in Maryland state history."
Ahead of the episode, let us go over five intriguing details about the criminal that remain of interest even today.
Five chilling facts about William Bradford Bishop's crimes
1) William Bradford Bishop had a nearly perfect life
Unlike most killers who have not seen a fairly happy life, William Bradford Bishop seemed to have everything in his favor. He earned an American Studies degree from Yale University and a Master's in Italian from Middlebury College in Vermont, he married his childhood sweetheart, and he went on to become a respected intelligence officer in the army.
He also held high posts after his departure from the army and served abroad often. He had three children and lived a life that can only be considered prosperous, at the very least.
2) Bishop suffered from psychiatric issues from early in his life
Despite his numerous achievements over the years, Bishop did suffer from psychiatric issues and had been under psychiatric care in the past. He also reportedly used medications for depression. This could be the primary reason behind him snapping and killing his entire family but the truth will perhaps never be known.
3) Bishop killed his family in one of the most brutal ways possible
On March 1, 1976, Bishop left early from work after he was reportedly passed off for a promotion. On his way back, he bought a ball-peen hammer and gas can before purchasing a shovel and pitchfork from a hardware store.
He came home and reportedly bludgeoned his entire family to death. This included his three sons, aged 5, 10, and 14. The victims also included his elderly mother.
4) He drove over 250 miles to dispose of the bodies
Following the murders, William Bradford Bishop drove 275 miles to Columbia, North Carolina, in his station wagon. He took the bodies to a densely wooded swamp, where he dug a hole and set the bodies on fire. The smoke from the bodies was seen by a forest official, and an investigation soon began.
That day, he was seen at a sporting goods store in Jacksonville, North Carolina, possibly accompanied by a woman and the family dog. Over a week later, blood was discovered in his house and it was confirmed that he had murdered his entire family.
5) William Bradford Bishop was indicted on charges of five first-degree murders but was never caught
On March 18, Bishop's station wagon was found abandoned at an isolated campground in Elkmont, Tennessee. The next day, a grand jury indicted him on five counts of first-degree murder, among other charges.
There have been multiple reported sightings of him since then, including ones in Stockholm and Sorrento, however, the FBI could not catch him despite having his name on the list of its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives for decades. He continues to be at large. If he is indeed alive, as his biological daughter believes, he would be 88 years old.
The upcoming episode of People Magazine Investigates will cover this case in more detail.
