Maryland State Police Press Release 02/27/2014

Maryland State Police Press Release
02/27/2014 08:40

SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF QUEEN ANNE’S CO. WOMAN REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – The suspicious death of a Queen Anne’s County woman almost one year ago remains under investigation as police continue to work to identify a cause of death and determine if that cause of death was the result of a criminal act.

The woman is identified as Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. Until December 2012, Pope had been residing with her husband, Wayne A. Pope Jr., in the 100-block of Beach Road, Stevensville. The couple separated that month and Robin Pope had been staying at a residence owned by a female friend on Kent Island.

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on March 2, 2013, the Queen Anne’s County Emergency Operations Center received a call from Wayne Pope, who reported suspicious circumstances involving his wife. When Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Wayne Pope’s home, he told them his wife Robin had come to the home late Friday night, March 1, to retrieve some belongings. After she arrived, he left the home. When he returned to the home early Saturday morning, he found his wife’s black 2011 Infinity still parked in the driveway, but she was not at the residence. He also said their dog, a Great Dane, was missing.

Deputies found Robin Pope’s keys, purse, credit cards, and cash still in her vehicle. The dog was found dead on March 2, 2013, in the water near a pier at a residence near the Pope’s home. An exact cause of death for the dog was not identified, but it was determined the dog had not died from external trauma.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. on March 23, 2013, 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. Police and fire department personnel responded and recovered the body of an adult female from the water.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner used dental records to positively identify the body as Robin Pope. The cause and manner of her death were not identified and remain undetermined.

Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators continue to seek answers and evidence in this case. Although the cause and manner of Robin Pope’s death have not been determined, investigators continue to consider the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death suspicious. Because the cause and manner of death have not been determined, investigators have not ruled anything out as a possibility, or ruled anyone out as a suspect. All possibilities remain open.

State Police investigators have not given up and are doing everything possible to determine how and why Robin Pope died. If she died as a result of a crime, State Police are committed to finding the person or persons responsible and bringing them to justice.

State Police continue to hope for assistance from the public. The area where Robin Pope disappeared and was later found dead is isolated, but investigators believe there are people who have information that could be helpful. Anyone who has information, even if they think it is insignificant, is urged to contact the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit at the Easton Barrack, at 410-822-3101.