WOMAN'S BODY RECOVERED FROM KENT ISLAND SHORELINE

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators will await the results of forensic examinations to determine if the body of a woman found along the Kent Island shoreline this afternoon is the Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for three weeks.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. today, Queen Anne’s County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from the 500-block of Bay Drive, Stevensville. The caller reported he had been fishing on a pier when he observed a body in the water near the shore.
Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and contacted Maryland State Police investigators who have been investigating the disappearance of Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. Pope was reported missing by her husband early on the morning of March 2, 2013. Multiple land and water searches and a continuing investigation since that time had failed to locate Pope.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators and Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office personnel secured the scene. The body was recovered from the water with the assistance of personnel from the Kent Island and United Communities Fire Department shortly before 6:00 p.m. State Police crime scene technicians conducted evidence collection procedures.

The body is that of an adult female, but further identification cannot be made at this time. The body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. Investigators will be forwarding dental records and other information related to Robin Pope to assist pathologists in identification efforts.

State Police investigators notified Robin Pope’s husband and daughters of the recovery and the lack of a positive identification. They will keep family members informed of identification efforts and results from the medical examiner’s office.

The investigation has still not determined why or how Robin Pope disappeared. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101. Callers may remain confidential.