Eugene Teodor Gligor, 44, was arrested by a U.S. Marshals Task Force in Washington, D.C., charged with the 2001 murder of Leslie Preer after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene.

Gligor's arrest comes more than two decades after the brutal killing of Leslie Preer in her Chevy Chase, Maryland home. Breakthroughs in forensic genetic genealogical analysis in 2022 identified Gligor as a suspect. Following a matching DNA sample obtained earlier this year, authorities have charged him with first-degree murder. The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the motive behind the crime that shocked an affluent Maryland community.

Leslie Preer's body was discovered inside her Chevy Chase home on May 2, 2001, after she did not show up for work. Preer's husband and employer found her inside the house, prompting an immediate call to the authorities. She was 50 years old at the time of her death and had apparent signs of trauma. The crime scene was described by investigators as 'brutal,' with significant amounts of blood present.

Initially, Preer's death was not officially ruled a homicide until two days after her body was discovered. The investigation at the time faced several challenges and did not yield any definitive suspects. However, new investigative techniques and a fresh revisit of the case in 2022 offered a new direction. The Montgomery County Police Department began re-examining evidence with advanced forensic technologies previously unavailable.

Key to the breakthrough in the case was DNA evidence collected from the crime scene in 2001. Although it did not initially yield actionable leads, advancements in forensic genetic genealogical analysis allowed investigators to process this evidence in 2022. This led to the identification of Eugene Teodor Gligor as a potential suspect.

Investigators obtained a DNA sample from Gligor on June 9, 2024. The sample matched the DNA found at the scene, providing law enforcement with a critical link between Gligor and the crime. Gligor was subsequently arrested by a U.S. Marshals Task Force in Washington, D.C. on June 18, 2024. He is currently being held pending extradition to Maryland, where he faces charges of first-degree murder.

Leslie Preer's murder occurred in an affluent area of Maryland, including the regions of Chevy Chase and Bethesda, which further heightened public sensitivity and demand for justice. The case had gone cold for years, but renewed efforts by the Montgomery County Police Department over the past two years have reinvigorated the pursuit of answers.

An additional layer to the case involves Gligor's connection to the Preer family. It was revealed that Gligor and Leslie Preer's daughter, Lauren Preer, had dated when they were both 15 years old. They lived in the same neighborhood during that period. A recent encounter between Gligor and Lauren Preer at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. last year has drawn attention, though it remains unclear how or if this meeting influenced the direction of the investigation.

Despite the arrest, the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are still piecing together the events and potential motives behind the crime. As of now, law enforcement has not publicly disclosed the exact cause of Leslie Preer's death, citing the need to preserve specific details for court proceedings.

The arrest of Eugene Teodor Gligor marks a significant development in a case that has remained unresolved for over two decades. However, many questions remain unanswered, particularly concerning the motive for the murder. Authorities continue to work diligently to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Leslie Preer's death.

The Montgomery County Police Department has requested that Gligor remain in custody in Washington, D.C., prior to his extradition to Maryland. This effort underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to ensure justice is served. The community of Chevy Chase and the surrounding areas watch closely as the case progresses through the legal system.

As the investigation moves forward, both the victims' family and the wider community remain hopeful that the full truth will emerge, providing closure to those affected by the tragic events of May 2001.