TELFORD, Pa. (WPVI) — A homicide investigation is underway in Bucks County following the death of a 23-year-old woman whose body was found last weekend inside an apartment, authorities said.
Maria Popol was found dead on March 15 inside an apartment on Main Street in Telford, Bucks County, one day after her 23rd birthday, according to a family member in Texas. Investigators have since determined the case should be treated as a homicide.
Originally from Guatemala, Popol came to the United States to work and help support her family, relatives said.
“I telling you, only nice person, she’s not bad. She’s coming here for work, for help the family, for support the fathers and parents,” said her cousin, Herlinda Popol.
Family members said Popol first moved to New Jersey to live with her brother, then relocated to Pennsylvania about nine months ago with a boyfriend. After she was reported missing, police discovered her body inside the Telford apartment.
Authorities have not released details about how Popol died.
“In this apartment, my cousin and this man only living in there,” Herlinda Popol said.
Popol worked at Don Leo Restaurant and Grocery in Telford, where concern began to grow after she failed to show up for a party she had been looking forward to on Saturday, March 7.
“I receive some text message saying that she was gonna be late, and she was moving, that’s why she was gonna be late,” said co-worker Margie Dominguez.
Family members shared a photo taken at 12:12 a.m. on March 7, which they believe shows Popol alive for the last time. They said she had packed her belongings and found a new place to live, but it remains unclear how or why she returned to the Main Street apartment where she was found dead.
As the investigation continues, Popol’s family is grieving and working to bring her body back to Guatemala.
Family members said they did not know Popol’s boyfriend well and have not been able to reach him. They are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Telford police or the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or Telford Borough Detectives at 215-723-6700.
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