The person at the center of this case
William Bradford Bishop Jr.'s wife (age 37), mother (age 68), and three sons (ages 5, 10, and 14)
Homicide · Open - Fugitive at Large
50 years waiting · since 1976
WILLIAM BRADFORD BISHOP, JR.
Justice for William Bradford Bishop Jr.'s wife (age 37), mother (age 68), and three sons (ages 5, 10, and 14) — the trail went cold in 1976, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Bishop was an educated Yale graduate with a Master's degree, licensed pilot, and experienced outdoorsman—could he have survived in remote areas or assumed a new identity?
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evidence
Lead #2Bishop reportedly kept a diary or journal and was an avid reader—did he document his whereabouts or plans?
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person
Lead #3As a longtime insomniac under psychiatric care for depression, was Bishop experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the murders?
On March 1, 1976, William Bradford Bishop Jr. allegedly bludgeoned to death his wife, mother, and three sons in Bethesda, Maryland, then transported their bodies to Columbia, North Carolina, where he buried them in a shallow grave and set them on fire. Bishop fled and has remained a fugitive for nearly five decades, evading capture despite federal charges for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and murder. As an educated, experienced outdoorsman and licensed pilot with extensive international travel experience, Bishop may have survived in remote areas or assumed a new identity—anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI.
Case
#731
FBI; Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Rockville, Maryland
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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location
Lead #4Bishop had extensive camping experience in Africa and was a licensed pilot trained in Botswana—could he have fled internationally?
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clue
Lead #5Bishop enjoyed specific activities (canoeing, hiking, camping, skiing) and had particular tastes (scotch, wine, peanuts, spicy food)—could these habits help identify sightings?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Murder With a Blunt Instrument Caution: William Bradford Bishop, Jr. is wanted for allegedly bludgeoning to death his wife (age 37), mother (age 68), and three sons (ages 5, 10 and 14) in Bethesda, Maryland, on March 1, 1976.
He then allegedly transported their bodies to Columbia, North Carolina, where he buried the bodies in a shallow grave and lit them on fire. In March of 1976, Bishop was charged locally with murder by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Rockville, Maryland, and then charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Remarks: Bishop was, and may still be, an avid outdoorsman, camper, and hiker. He had extensive camping experience in Africa.
He also enjoyed canoeing, fishing, swimming, jogging, tennis, skiing and riding motorcycles. Bishop enjoyed working out several times a week.
He was also a licensed amateur pilot who learned to fly in Botswana, Africa. Bishop has an American Studies degree from Yale University and a Master's Degree in Italian from Middlebury College in Vermont.
He was known to read extensively and may have kept a diary or journal. A longtime insomniac, Bishop reportedly had been under psychiatric care in the past and had used medication for depression.
He drank scotch and wine and enjoyed eating peanuts and spicy food. Bishop was described as intense and self-absorbed, prone to violent outbursts, and preferred a neat and orderly environment.
Timeline of Events
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1976-03-01
Family Murders
William Bradford Bishop Jr. allegedly bludgeoned to death his wife, mother, and three sons in Bethesda, Maryland
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1976-03-01
Bodies Transported and Disposed
Bishop allegedly transported the bodies to Columbia, North Carolina, buried them in a shallow grave, and set them on fire
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1976-03
Federal Charges Filed
Bishop was charged locally with murder by Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 1, 1976
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:March 1, 1976
Last Updated:September 12, 2026