Nearly a month after the discovery of 23-year-old Maria Popol’s body, the Telford Borough Police Department is expressing gratitude for the community’s support while reaffirming that the homicide investigation remains active.
On the morning of Sunday, March 15, Telford Borough Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive individual at an apartment on the 100 block of Main Street on the Bucks County side of the borough, where they discovered Popol’s body. The apartment was located above Frida’s Mexican Taqueria on North Main Street.
An autopsy was performed and the Bucks County Coroner’s Office formally ruled the manner of Popol’s death a homicide. Investigators have not stated how she died or named a suspect.
Who Was Maria Popol?
Popol, whose full name was María Bernarda Popol Guerra, immigrated from Guatemala in 2023 to support her sick parents. She first moved to New Jersey to live with her brother, then relocated to Pennsylvania about nine months ago with a boyfriend. Her brother, Rolando Popol, said she last spoke to her family on March 6.
Co-worker Margie Dominguez, who worked alongside Popol for about six to eight months at Don Leo Restaurant and Grocery in Telford, described her as a very hard worker. Dominguez said she knew something was off when Popol didn’t show up to help work a large party. “She was supposed to work,” Dominguez said. “She knew we had a lot going on that day, and she was excited to come to work, and on Saturday, we didn’t know where she was. We started looking for her everywhere.”
Family members said they did not know Popol’s boyfriend well and had not been able to reach him.
Investigation Update
In a statement included in the department’s March crime blotter, Police Chief Randy Floyd acknowledged the public’s frustration over the lack of new information, but emphasized that withholding details is necessary to ensure the case moves forward successfully. “I know this is frustrating, and the community wants answers, but revealing specifics at this stage only harms the case moving forward,” Floyd stated. “This needs to be done to ensure justice for Maria.”
Floyd also expressed appreciation for the outpouring of community support, noting that many residents, organizations, and businesses have stepped forward to assist or provide information. “It is apparent through interviews and social media that Maria was a bright light and touched the lives of many people,” police said.
How to Help
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted by contacting Detective Adams at 215-723-6700 or via email at detectives@telfordboroughpolice.org. Bucks County Detectives can also be reached at 215-348-6354.
