A 17-year-old went missing in Putnam County 30 years ago, and police are still looking for answers.
Carmel, New York Teen Goes Missing 30 Years Ago
On April 9, 2025 The Carmel Police Department used social media to inform the community that they are still looking for information on a missing teenager from 1995.
In the post, the Carmel Police Department writes, “Today marks 30 years since Robin Murphy went missing.” They go on to explain that Robin was 17 at the time and was last seen in the ShopRite Plaza in the evening of April 9th, 1995.
Murphy was never seen nor heard from again.
The Charley Project website contains additional details and information about the case that have been gathered over the last thirty years. Murphy’s red Oldsmobile, which the teen borrowed from her mother, was discovered near the Burger King in the plaza’s parking lot shortly after she disappeared.
Murphy’s wallet, keys, purse, and checkbook were discovered several days later in a grassy marsh area behind the plaza.
Possible Leads in Robin Murphy’s Missing Persons Case
The Charley Project goes on to say that, while Murphy had dropped out of school the year before her disappearance, police did not expect her to run away.
Authorities also ruled out Murphy’s boyfriend, Matt Esposito, whom she was scheduled to meet later that night.
In 2000, Howard J. Gombert Jr was arrested on charges of sexual assault and child endangerment. Following Gombert Jr.’s arrest, authorities discovered Robin’s underwear in a suitcase at his girlfriend’s house. Gombert told police that he was “best friends” with Robin and had spoken with her at 3 p.m. the day she went missing.
The Charley Project reported that after Robin went missing, he “attempted suicide and had to be hospitalized.”
Having said that, Gombert was never charged in Robin’s case, but he is facing other charges, including a 1991 first-degree rape charge that was dismissed after the victim recanted.
In April of 2024, unidentified remains were discovered in Putnam County. Many members of the community believed the remains belonged to Robin Murphy.
Authorities believed the remains belonged to a white woman aged 17 to 28 who had been dead for at least ten years.
By June 2024, the remains had been identified as not belonging to Robin Murphy.
Carmel, NY Police Continue to Investigate Robin Murphy’s Missing Person Case
In a statement released on the anniversary of Murphy’s disappearance, the Carmel Police Department emphasizes that if anyone has any information about the case, they should come forward, no matter how small the information is, stressing:
Even the smallest detail could make a difference in helping us bring closure to this case.
If you have any information about the case, call the Detective Division at (845) 628-1300.