A New York inmate has been charged for the 1991 murder of a former Martha’s Vineyard music teacher.

According to the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper of Rochester, N.Y., Edward Laraby, 59, pleaded not guilty this week in Erie County to the murder of Stephanie Kupchynsky.

Ms. Kupchynsky, a former Vineyard music teacher, disappeared in the summer of 1991 at the age of 27. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that her skeletal remains were found seven years later.

Ms. Kupchynsky was the first Islandwide strings teacher, and was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music. She taught strings on the Vineyard for two years, and left for a teaching position in Rochester, N.Y., the Gazette reported in 1991.

The paper cited sources “close to the case” who said Mr. Laraby admitted to the crime, and said that Mr. Laraby has a terminal illness and was already serving a life term in prison for other crimes.