Carmel, New York – The name Howard John Gombert Jr. has resurfaced in renewed investigations into two disturbing cases involving teenage girls who disappeared in Carmel, New York, during the 1990s. More than three decades later, the disappearance of 17-year-old Robin Murphy and the killing of 12-year-old Josette Wright remain central to questions surrounding the investigations.
Gombert, whose criminal history and alleged connections to the cases have attracted renewed attention, is serving a prison sentence in Connecticut for separate sexual assault convictions.
Robin Murphy’s Disappearance
Robin Murphy disappeared on April 9, 1995, after being seen at the ShopRite Plaza in Carmel, where she worked. According to investigators, Gombert worked at a laundromat in the same shopping center and knew Murphy through his girlfriend at the time.
During an interview with police, Gombert acknowledged meeting Murphy briefly on the evening she disappeared. He told investigators they spoke for approximately 10 minutes before she left. He denied knowing what happened to her.
The investigation later took a significant turn when authorities searched a residence associated with Gombert in 2000. Police reported finding women’s clothing, underwear and other personal belongings inside a suitcase. DNA testing identified one item of underwear as belonging to Murphy, according to investigators.
Gombert disputed the allegations and denied involvement in her disappearance. Although Carmel police publicly identified him as a suspect in 2000, he has never been charged in Murphy’s disappearance.
The Josette Wright Case
Gombert’s name also emerged during the investigation into the 1994 disappearance and murder of Josette Wright.
Anthony DiPippo and Andrew Krivak were convicted in 1997 in connection with Wright’s death. However, their convictions were subsequently overturned following legal challenges involving evidence that pointed toward Gombert as an alternative suspect.
In 2016, New York’s highest court ruled that evidence concerning Gombert’s history and alleged statements should have been admitted during DiPippo’s second trial. DiPippo was later acquitted, while Krivak was acquitted following a retrial in 2023.
Gombert has never been convicted of Wright’s murder.
Renewed Attention and Prison Release
The cases have received renewed national attention through ABC News’ November 2026 20/20 investigation, which revisits the disappearances and the unanswered questions surrounding them.
A multi-agency task force has also been formed to reinvestigate Murphy’s disappearance. According to ABC News, Gombert is expected to be released from prison by January 2027.
For the families of Robin Murphy and Josette Wright, the search for answers continues. Their cases remain reminders of the importance of thorough investigations, reliable forensic evidence and accountability in the pursuit of justice.