After dedicating decades to a fulfilling career as an educator, Kathy Gillcrist embarked on a personal quest to uncover her roots. What she discovered through a DNA test was beyond her wildest imagination—a connection to a notorious fugitive and mass murderer.

Unraveling a Family Mystery That Shook the Nation

The Decision to Seek Answers

Kathy Gillcrist always sensed there was more to her story. Growing up, she knew she was adopted but never delved deeply into her origins until her retirement in 2017. As a seasoned high school teacher, she had spent years shaping young minds, but now it was time to explore her own history. Armed with curiosity and a DNA test kit, she took the first step toward unearthing long-buried secrets.The results led her to a third cousin who provided invaluable assistance. Through this newfound connection, Gillcrist managed to trace her birth mother, who had placed her for adoption in 1957. However, the journey to find her father proved far more challenging. When she finally received his name—William Bradford Bishop—the mystery deepened. Gillcrist’s cousin hinted at something extraordinary, urging her to investigate further. Little did she know, this investigation would lead her down a path of unimaginable horror.

A Life of Deception and Tragedy

William Bradford Bishop appeared to live an exemplary life. Born in Pasadena, California, he excelled academically, earning degrees from prestigious institutions like Yale University and Middlebury College. He married Annette, his high school sweetheart, in 1959, and they welcomed three sons—William, Brenton, and Geoffrey. Bishop’s career flourished as he served in military intelligence and later joined the State Department, holding posts in Italy, Ethiopia, and Botswana.However, beneath this facade lay a darker reality. In 1976, Bishop's mental health deteriorated. After being passed over for a promotion, he left work early and withdrew $400 from a bank. He then purchased a gasoline can and a sledgehammer. Returning home, he brutally murdered his family—his mother, wife, and three sons—before driving their bodies to Columbia, North Carolina, where he buried and set them ablaze. The coroner confirmed their deaths were caused by blunt force trauma.Bishop’s fingerprints, found on the gasoline can and in bloodstains at the crime scene, linked him irrefutably to the murders. His maroon station wagon, discovered in a national park, contained damning evidence: blood-stained tarps, an axe, a shotgun, and personal items. Despite extensive investigations and reported sightings in Stockholm and Sorrento, Bishop remains at large, evading capture for decades.

A Legacy of Questions and Uncertainty

Gillcrist’s discovery has left her grappling with profound questions. How could someone so seemingly ordinary commit such heinous acts? She self-published a book titled "It’s in My Genes," detailing her harrowing journey. Now 88, if still alive, Bishop’s survival skills as an outdoorsman and his ability to adapt suggest he may still be out there.If given the chance to confront him, Gillcrist wonders how he justifies his actions. “How do you live with this? Are you a happy person now?” These are the haunting questions that linger in her mind. Her story is featured in an upcoming episode of People Magazine Investigates, airing on December 23rd, offering viewers a glimpse into the unsettling truth behind one family’s tragedy.