'She Was Just a Lovable Little Girl'

Each day since 10-year-old Holly Piirainen disappeared more than 18 years ago, her family has thought about her.

“It’s in our minds every single day,’’ Grafton resident Maureen Lemieux, Holly's grandmother, said this morning. “We’ll never forget it.’’

And today, the family is “cautiously optimistic’’ that the lead announced this morning could solve the case, Lemieux said.

As forensic analysis grows more sophisticated, items collected near the area in Brimfield where her Holly’s body was found have been linked to former Springfield resident David Pouliot.

Holly disappeared while visiting her grandmother at about noon on Aug. 5, 1993. Her remains were discovered in a wooded area at 5 Bridge Rd., Brimfield.

The press conference was called to seek information the public might have about Pouliot, who was born Jan. 4, 1954 and died in 2003 at age 49. The lead has been called among the best yet received in the case.

Anyone with information on the case may call 413-505-5933.

The 18 years since her disappearance have been “a roller coaster’’ for Holly’s family. Five or six other leads have not panned out, she said.

But the advent of new technology gives the family new hope for a resolution to the case, she said. “I’m 18 years older now,’’ she said. “I’d like to see this solved in my lifetime.’’

Today, Holly would be nearly 30 years old.  Her family remembers her as a child who loved the water, loved swimming and hoped to become a marine biologist.

“She was just a loveable little girl, and we miss her,’’ Lemieux said.