Eugene Teodor Gligor, 44, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the 2001 killing of Leslie Preer, after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The breakthrough in the decades-old cold case came after forensic genetic genealogical analysis of DNA evidence in 2022 identified Gligor as a suspect. Further DNA collected from Gligor in June 2024 confirmed the match, leading to his arrest by the U.S. Marshal's Task Force. Gligor, who had a past connection to the victim's daughter, is set to be extradited to Maryland to face charges.

Leslie Preer was found dead inside her home on May 2, 2001. Her body was discovered after she failed to show up for work, prompting concern among her colleagues. A coworker who visited her home found blood in the foyer and called the police. Upon their arrival, law enforcement officers found Preer's body in an upstairs bedroom. The crime scene was described as being particularly gruesome, with a significant amount of blood present.

The case initially went cold due to a lack of viable leads and evidence that could identify a suspect. It wasn't until 2022, more than two decades later, that advancements in forensic technology provided a new avenue for investigation. DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene was sent for forensic genetic genealogical analysis. This method uses public genetic databases to identify potential relatives of individuals whose DNA profiles are available, facilitating the identification of suspects or persons of interest in criminal cases.

The analysis led investigators to Eugene Teodor Gligor, who had lived in the same area as Leslie Preer and her family. Further scrutiny revealed that Gligor had a personal connection to the victim's daughter, Lauren Preer. According to Lauren, she dated Gligor when she was 15 years old. This past relationship provided a potential motive and context for the crime, although the exact nature of Gligor's actions on the night of the murder remains under investigation.

In pursuit of solid evidence, investigators collected a new DNA sample from Gligor on June 9, 2024. This sample was compared to the DNA evidence obtained from the crime scene, resulting in a match. Armed with this critical evidence, the authorities moved swiftly to arrest Gligor. The U.S. Marshal's Task Force took him into custody, charging him with first-degree murder in connection with Leslie Preer's death.

Gligor's arrest has raised renewed interest in the case, and the legal process is now set to bring him back to Maryland. The extradition process is expected to be initiated soon, allowing Gligor to stand trial for the alleged crime. Law enforcement officials and the community are hopeful that this development will bring justice for Leslie Preer and closure for her family.

Family members, particularly Lauren Preer, have voiced their shock and distress over the arrest. Lauren revealed that she and Gligor had an unexpected encounter last year when they ran into each other at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. The meeting did not provide any immediate leads, but it underscored the close geographic and social proximity that existed between Gligor and the Preer family at the time the crime was committed.

In a bid to solve the case, a reward of $10,000 was offered in 2022 for information leading to an arrest. This reward, along with the advancements in forensic technology, has proven instrumental in reviving the investigation. The combination of public cooperation and sophisticated DNA analysis techniques paved the way for the recent arrest.

The arrest has been met with a mixture of relief and horror by those who have followed the case over the years. The community of Chevy Chase, Maryland, has long grappled with the unsolved mystery and the sense of unease it brought. With Gligor now in custody, there is a renewed sense of hope that justice will be served in this long-standing case.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus will be on ensuring a fair and thorough trial. Prosecutors will have the task of presenting the DNA evidence and other circumstantial details that link Gligor to the murder of Leslie Preer. Defense attorneys, on the other hand, will likely scrutinize the methods used to gather and analyze the DNA evidence.

The resolution of this case may take some time, as both parties prepare for what is expected to be a complex and detailed trial. However, the arrest of Eugene Teodor Gligor marks a significant step forward in the search for justice for Leslie Preer and her family.