New York State police are asking for the public’s help in finding a 72-year-old fugitive wanted for killing his 19-year-old son and the victim’s 21-year-old female friend in Southampton 30 years ago.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of William Fischer after he was indicted on two counts of second-degree murder on Feb. 25, 1987, but investigators have been unable to find him since his vehicle was found abandoned two days later at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Fischer was charged with shooting his son, Billy, 18 times and twice stabbing his son’s friend, Nancy Hyer, in his home on Dec. 10, 1986, police said. Eleven days later, their bodies were found in the trunk of Hyer’s vehicle, which was left at the Southampton Elks Club.
Investigators believe that Billy, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, asked his father for money to help cover mounting medical bills. The next day, Billy called Hyer and asked her to pick him up from his father’s house. That’s when authorities believe William killed them both and put their bodies in the trunk of Hyer’s vehicle, police said.
Investigators searched the suspect’s home, where they found blood and fibers matching the victims’ in the vacuum cleaner as well as bullets in the walls, police said. Luminol sprayed throughout the house also revealed blood had been cleaned off the walls, police said.
Fischer is described as 72 years old, 5’11” tall, 185-200 pounds with salt and pepper hair and blue eyes. Police released age progression photos of the suspect to show what he may look like now.
State police ask anyone with information on William Peter Fischer’s whereabouts to call them at 631-756-3300.
