Laurel Woman Identified as Popeyes Murder Victim: Police

Authorities are investigating the death of a Laurel woman found dead Sunday at the Popeyes where she worked as a homicide, police said.

Luzviminda Monreal, 47, was found deceased in the back stock area of the Brooklyn Park restaurant in the 5300 block of Ritchie Highway, according to a statement from the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

At 8:08 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to the location after a manager discovered the body upon opening the restaurant, police said. A spokesman for the police department described the scene as “bloody” and “horrific,” ABC 2 News reported.

Police said it was unclear if the death was related to a robbery or other type of altercation.

Monreal had been working at the restaurant Saturday night, and the Popeyes was open until 1 a.m. on Sunday, The Capital reported. Police said it was unknown when the death occurred.

When she was found, Monreal appeared to have suffered significant trauma to her upper body, police told WNEW.

Monreal, who went by “Minda,” was described as kindhearted, helping people pay for meals out of her own pocket if they didn’t have the money, according to ABC 2 News, which reported she had worked at Popeyes for approximately 25 years, ascending through the ranks from cashier to manager.

According to Fox 45, police were reviewing surveillance footage and asked the public to help identify the murderer.

Anyone with information may contact Anne Arundel County homicide detectives at 410-222-8610 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Photo Credit: Anne Arundel County Police Department via Viddy