When Robin Murphy, then 17, failed to return home from her shift at a ShopRite in Carmel, New York, on April 9, 1995, her family was thrust into a nightmare that has endured for over 30 years. Her brother, Jamie Murphy, recalls the moment he learned his sister was missing: “I got the call while I was at work. They said my sister never came home. I felt something was off.”
Early search efforts and a suspect
Four days after the disappearance, coworkers and friends organized a civilian search of the woods behind the shopping center. Investigators later uncovered a work schedule, a pay stub, and Robin’s wallet and identification near a dumpster behind the same complex. Police canvassed the area, speaking with employees and patrons, which led them to Howard Gombert, a laundromat worker who had been friends with Robin through his girlfriend at the time.
Gombert told police in 1995 that he had met Robin for about ten minutes at the shopping center before she walked toward a nearby fast‑food restaurant where her boyfriend worked. He claimed no knowledge of what happened afterward. In 2000, Gombert entered police focus after being convicted of sexual assault against his former girlfriend and later of assaulting a seven‑year‑old girl in Connecticut, receiving a total of 30 years in prison.
New forensic evidence
During a search of Gombert’s residence, officers discovered a tan suitcase containing Ziploc bags of women’s underwear, jewelry, handbags, and purses. DNA testing on the underwear produced a conclusive match to Robin Murphy. “It was sickening,” Jamie Murphy said of the discovery. Gombert denied ownership of the items and offered conflicting explanations, at times claiming they were acquired from a thrift store.
Although police publicly identified Gombert as a suspect in 2000, no charges have been filed. In an email to ABC’s “20/20,” Gombert again denied involvement and is scheduled for release from prison no later than January 2027.
Renewed investigation and media coverage
A multi‑agency task force has recently been reconstituted to reinvestigate Robin’s case. While the task force declined a direct interview with “20/20,” it issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to finding answers for the Murphy family.
The story received renewed national attention in a “20/20” episode titled “Hiding Beneath The Surface: The Putnam County School Girls,” which aired on November 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streamed the following day on Disney+ and Hulu. Correspondent John Quiñones revisited the case, and investigative journalist Paul Solotaroff, who also hosts a podcast about the disappearance, provided additional context.
Family’s perseverance
Despite the passage of time and the pain of unanswered questions, Jamie Murphy remains steadfast. “You get the hope and then it knocks you down,” he said. “It’s an emotional rollercoaster that I don’t wish on anybody.” The family continues to cooperate with law enforcement, hoping that new forensic techniques or information will finally bring closure.
Robin Murphy’s disappearance remains an open wound for the Carmel community, a reminder of the importance of vigilant search efforts, thorough forensic work, and the enduring hope of families seeking truth.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
