Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"This is the story of Robin Pope." — Ashley Flowers
"When investigators interrogate him, they really grill him on what he thinks happened on the night he last saw Robin." — Britt
"The case is truly at a standstill, and with no physical evidence to test the only way investigators can definitively get resolution, is by someone with information coming forward." — Ashley Flowers
The episode delves into the perplexing case of Robin Pope, who disappeared from her estranged husband Wayne Pope's home in Stevensville, Maryland, on March 1, 2013. Robin, a breast cancer survivor, was at the residence to collect personal belongings and see their dog, Bella. Wayne claimed to have left the premises to give Robin space and returned hours later to find her and Bella missing. The investigation revealed inconsistencies in Wayne's account, including his whereabouts and his knowledge of Robin's activities. The discovery of Bella's body washed ashore along the Chesapeake Bay, followed by Robin's body approximately three weeks later, intensified the suspicion surrounding Wayne, especially given his past behavior towards both Robin and Bella, including instances of possessiveness, verbal abuse, and an apparent affair Robin was having.
Investigators faced significant challenges due to a lack of conclusive evidence. Wayne Pope was questioned extensively, and while he exhibited some physical marks that he attributed to retrieving Bella's body, his explanations were met with skepticism. His alibi for the night of Robin's disappearance was also called into question, with conflicting reports from his parents and daughter, and his movements, as tracked by cell phone data and surveillance footage, raising further suspicions of attempts to establish a false timeline. The medical examiner could not determine a definitive cause or manner of death for Robin due to the decomposition of her body, further complicating the investigation.
Despite Wayne being named a person of interest, he has never been charged in connection with Robin's death. The case remains officially unsolved, with law enforcement continuing to seek public assistance. The episode highlights several theories, including an accident, murder, or a combination thereof, with Wayne Pope remaining the primary focus of suspicion due to his behavior and inconsistencies. The possibility of Robin's ex-husband, Dean, also being found deceased in the Chesapeake Bay months prior, adds another layer of intrigue, though no direct link has been established by investigators. The podcast concludes by urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the need for answers for Robin's family.