Justice finally caught up with Eugene Gligor, ending over two decades of uncertainty in one of Montgomery County's most notorious cold cases. The tragic murder of Leslie Preer in 2001 haunted her family and the community for years. Recent developments, thanks to advancements in forensic science, led to Gligor's arrest and eventual guilty plea for second-degree murder.
Eugene Gligor, a Washington, D.C. resident, was linked to Leslie Preer's murder through an intensive investigation using familial DNA analysis. For years, law enforcement had few leads and little DNA evidence, keeping the case unsolved. The breakthrough came when detectives matched Gligor's DNA to the crime scene by collecting a discarded water bottle at Dulles International Airport.
New forensic techniques played a crucial role in identifying Eugene Gligor as the suspect. Investigators used a commercial genetic database for familial DNA analysis. This marked the first time Montgomery County secured a conviction with this technology. Further details, including how law enforcement trailed Gligor and linked him to the crime, are highlighted in the WTOP News article on his guilty plea.
On May 7, 2025, Gligor stood in a Montgomery County courtroom and admitted to the crime. According to WUSA9's report, Gligor faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for August. The Montgomery County State's Attorney's office expressed relief at finally bringing closure to the victim's family.
The investigation took a new turn in 2022, when detectives got court approval to use advanced forensic genealogy. By inputting male DNA from the crime scene into a genetic testing database, they identified a distant match, leading them to Eugene Gligor. Investigators then connected him with Preer's family through earlier relationships and monitored him during a trip at Dulles. DNA from a water bottle finally linked him to the crime beyond doubt. For more details on the case and its broader implications, the Washington Post also provided coverage.
The resolution of this long-cold case brought a measure of peace to Preer's family and the Montgomery County community. The case of Eugene Gligor underscores the importance of persistence in law enforcement and the value of genetic genealogy in solving difficult cases.
The identification, arrest, and conviction of Eugene Gligor bring an important chapter to a close in Maryland's criminal justice history. The innovative use of DNA evidence and diligent police work remind us that the past is never truly forgotten. For ongoing updates and wider coverage, readers can follow updates from WTOP News and WUSA9.