For more than two decades, Lauren Preer carried a heavy burden. She spent years wondering who killed her mother, Leslie Preer. Authorities had initially suspected her father, but recent forensic technology finally uncovered the truth.
In a stunning turn of events, Eugene Teodor Gligor, 45, now faces charges for Leslie’s 2001 murder. Last week, he pleaded guilty to the crime in a Montgomery County courtroom. The arrest followed a long investigation, which finally solved the case after more than 20 years.
Leslie Preer was found dead in the bathroom of her Chevy Chase, Md., home in May 2001. She had failed to show up for work, prompting investigators to examine her home. They discovered evidence, but the case remained unsolved. Authorities couldn’t connect any of the suspects to the crime, and the investigation went cold.
In 2022, however, the case received a breakthrough. Investigators used familial DNA to find a distant relative of the killer, who lived in Romania. They reconstructed a family tree from this information, which eventually led them to Gligor. He had dated Lauren when they were both teenagers and had been a family friend.
The DNA evidence found at the scene confirmed Gligor’s involvement. Investigators found DNA in several locations throughout the house. However, the most compelling evidence came from under Leslie’s fingernails, showing that she had struggled with her attacker.
Lauren Preer expressed her shock when she learned the truth. She never thought someone close to her family, like Gligor, could commit such an act. “Never in a million years did we think that one of our people could hurt my mom like that,” Lauren said, reflecting the disbelief felt by many.
Gligor now faces a second-degree murder charge and could spend up to 30 years in prison. His sentencing will take place in late August. The case represents a significant achievement in forensic science, as it marks the first time Maryland has used familial DNA to solve a cold case murder.
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