June 30^th,  2024 — More than two decades after the murder of Leslie Preer, her killer was finally arrested.

Leslie Preer, a mother and marketing executive from Chevy Chase, Maryland, was found bludgeoned to death in her home on May 2, 2001. The attack was vicious—she had suffered fatal head trauma, and blood evidence was found throughout her home. Despite collecting DNA samples at the time, the case went cold, with no clear suspect.

23 year after the murder, investigators matched DNA from under her fingernails to a distant relative of killer living in Romania.

Using forensic genealogy , investigators were then able to narrow in on the killer,  Eugene Gligor a man once connected to the Preer family.

Authorities tracked Gligor’s movements and collected a discarded water bottle to confirm the DNA match. He was arrested at Dulles International Airport and charged with first-degree murder. Officials have not revealed a motive but called it a “personal, violent crime.”

In May 2025, Eugene Gligor pleaded guilty to the 2^nd degree murder of Leslie Preer. He remains in custody and faces up to 30 year in prison when he is sentenced on August 2^nd.