A shocking revelation has left a Maryland family in disbelief as DNA evidence has connected a woman’s ex-boyfriend to her mother’s cold case murder from 2001. Lauren Preer, the daughter of the victim, Leslie Preer, expressed her disbelief in an interview with FOX 5, describing the situation as “pretty unreal.” She shared that Eugene Gligor, who is now 44 years old, was her ex-boyfriend whom she dated when she was about 15 years old, and their families were acquainted.
The tragic incident unfolded in 2001 when Leslie Preer was found dead in her home in the upscale Chevy Chase neighborhood of Montgomery County. Her absence from work that day raised concerns, leading to the discovery of her lifeless body. The Montgomery County Department of Police’s Cold Case Section revealed that forensic genealogy played a pivotal role in identifying Gligor as a suspect by linking his DNA to the evidence collected at the crime scene.
Assistant Chief Nicholas Augustine of the Montgomery County Police Department emphasized the importance of utilizing advanced forensic techniques to solve cold cases and bring perpetrators to justice, even decades after the crimes were committed. Gligor was apprehended by the US Marshal’s Task Force in Washington, D.C., on June 18 and is facing charges of first-degree murder in connection to Leslie Preer’s death.
Despite the shocking turn of events, Lauren Preer admitted that she never suspected her ex-boyfriend of her mother’s murder, even after encountering him in the past year. She expressed disbelief at the idea that someone could carry out such a heinous act and interact with others as if nothing had happened.
As Gligor awaits extradition to Maryland from Washington, D.C., authorities have not disclosed a motive for the murder of Leslie Preer. The case serves as a reminder of the enduring efforts of law enforcement agencies to solve cold cases and seek justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed. The community is left grappling with the unsettling reality of a long-dormant case being brought back to light with the arrest of a former acquaintance.