Last week, a construction crew in the Hudson Valley stumbled upon human remains while preparing a site for a new home in Patterson, New York, according to state police. The discovery sparked a brief surge of hope in the community that a long-standing missing persons case might finally be resolved.
The skeletal remains, which were in an advanced state of decomposition, provided few clues to the identity of the deceased. However, investigators were able to confirm that the remains did not belong to Robin Murphy, a local teenager who disappeared under mysterious circumstances on April 9, 1995.
The news of the discovery initially stirred the community of Putnam County, as many speculated that the remains could be those of Murphy, who was last seen leaving her home to meet a friend at a local eatery. The timing of the discovery seemed to coincide with the disappearance of another local girl, 12-year-old Josette Wright, whose remains were found later that year in close proximity to the recent excavation site.
However, these hopes were dashed on Saturday when state troopers confirmed that the DNA sample taken from the remains did not match Murphy’s profile. The news was a blow to the community and particularly to Murphy’s family, who have been seeking closure for over two decades.
The case of Robin Murphy’s disappearance has been a source of ongoing pain for her family and the community. A Facebook page dedicated to her case expressed the hope that the case could finally be closed and justice served.
The prime suspect in Murphy’s disappearance is Howard Gombert, currently serving a prison sentence in Connecticut for rape. Despite long-standing suspicions of his involvement in Murphy’s case, police have never had sufficient evidence to charge him. Gombert was also implicated in Wright’s murder by two men who were later acquitted of her rape and murder.
State troopers are continuing their efforts to identify the recently discovered remains, emphasizing that the investigation is still in its early stages.