A North Carolina woman who was adopted more than six decades ago discovered that her biological father was a notorious fugitive wanted for murdering five members of his family after taking a DNA test.
Kathy Gillcrist was stunned when her search for information about her biological relatives led her to William Bradford Bishop, who was accused of killing his wife, mother and three sons in 1976.
Gillcrist had been adopted in the 1950s and decided to take a 23andMe DNA test to learn more about her biological background. She received her results approximately six weeks after submitting her sample.
After indicating on the platform that she was adopted, she was able to identify a cousin who contacted her.
The two developed a relationship, and the cousin, who was a genealogist, helped her trace her biological family and identify her father.
Speaking to WXII 12, Gillcrist described her reaction to discovering his identity.
She said she initially laughed because of how unbelievable the discovery seemed, explaining that she had expected to find out she was related to someone famous.
Instead, an online search immediately brought up Bishop’s FBI wanted poster.
Biological Father Linked to 1976 Family Murders
William Bradford Bishop was wanted in connection with the killings of five members of his family in Bethesda, Maryland, in March 1976.
He allegedly bludgeoned his wife, mother and three sons to death before transporting their bodies to North Carolina, where they were burned.
Bishop subsequently abandoned his vehicle and disappeared, leaving investigators without an arrest or confirmed account of his whereabouts.
He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2014.
Gillcrist said learning about the murders brought back memories of when the killings happened.
She recalled being a freshman in college at the time and studying in Boston when the murders took place in the Washington, DC, area.
She described becoming increasingly disturbed as she learned more about her biological father’s alleged crimes.
Woman Documents Her Father’s Criminal History
Following the discovery, Gillcrist began gathering information about Bishop and the unsolved murders.
Her collection grew to include journal entries, newspaper clippings, personal notes and wanted posters documenting the case and developments surrounding the search for him.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned her experiences and research into a book titled It’s In My Genes.
Gillcrist also shared a warning about the implications of using DNA testing services to uncover biological family connections.
She explained that scientific discoveries could reveal information that might permanently change someone’s understanding of their family history.
Book Attracts International Attention and FBI Connections
Gillcrist’s story gained widespread attention following the release of her book, bringing renewed interest to Bishop’s disappearance.
She subsequently developed a relationship with the FBI and began receiving information and tips from people in different parts of the world who believed they might have information about the fugitive.
Over the years, possible sightings of Bishop have been reported in several locations, including parts of Europe.
However, Gillcrist said reports of potential sightings and photographs had become less frequent in recent years.
Gillcrist Wants Answers From Her Biological Father
Bishop would be 90 years old if he were still alive.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her discovery, Gillcrist said she would want to speak with him if he were ever found.
She said she would ask whether he knew he had a daughter and what he thought about the information that had emerged about him over the years.
She also said she wanted to understand what motivated him to allegedly murder his family, although she was uncertain whether he would be able to explain his actions.
Five Decades Later, Bishop Remains Missing
Nearly 50 years after the killings, Bishop’s whereabouts remain unknown, and the case has not been closed.
Although investigators have received reports of possible sightings over the decades, no confirmed discovery of the fugitive has been announced.
Gillcrist reiterated that Bishop has never been found and that the investigation remains unresolved.
