Both suspects in Carbuncle Pond murder plead not guilty, held without bail

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) — The two men indicted for the murder of a pregnant woman found in Carbuncle Pond in Coventry last winter are being held without bail after their arraignments.

According to court documents, Gary Gromkiewicz, 36, entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment in Kent County Superior Court on Wednesday and was held without bail at the ACI in Cranston.

Rhode Island State Police shared this booking photo of Gary Gromkiewicz.

Back on September 29, the other suspect in the murder, 46-year-old Michael Lambert, was also held without bail at the ACI after pleading not guilty.

Authorities said that as alleged in court, the two, who met in prison, went to Brockton in the early hours of Dec. 21, 2022 to pick up Leila Duarte Da Luz. Da Luz was Gromkiewicz’s ex-girlfriend, and she was pregnant with his child.

Investigators used cell phone location data to track their drive through Rhode Island.

The cell phone data later tracked the three to western Coventry. Da Luz’s body was found by a fisherman at Carbuncle Pond.

A dive team is seen at the Carbuncle Pond in Coventry in December 2022. (WLNE)

Investigators said her body was underneath the ice with lacerations on her head. The medical examiner’s report said that she had water in her lungs, meaning she was alive when she got into the water.

Both Gromkiewicz and Lambert are expected to return to court for a bail hearing on October 31.