In 2001, Lauren's mom was murdered inside her home >> with Lauren when this stuff happened to her mom. >> Um, no, we had broken up a couple years before. >> Now, 20 years later, her boyfriend became the prime suspect. >> We investigate homicides and rape. >> He was pulled off the street and dropped straight into an interrogation room. Arrested in June of last year for a murder he committed in 2001, Eugene Glegor today told a packed Montgomery County courtroom he has remorse and regret. Is disappointed with himself for hiding it for so long. >> This is all very bewildering, very strange. >> Could it all come down to a love triangle between Lauren, her boyfriend, and her mom? >> This was the scene of the crime back on May 2nd, 2001. The Chvy Chase home where Leslie Prier was beaten and strangled to death. Murdered just inside the front door. Her body dragged to the master bathroom shower upstairs. The family dog locked in the basement. Gleeor leaving behind a bloody scene that he tried to clean up before fleeing to Oregon. >> Never like dating Lauren's mom or anything like that behind the scenes. >> Okay. >> The hunter is now being hunted. feel a little bit trapped here. Like, >> well, you're under arrest, so you should feel trapped. >> A blunt detective meets a dramatic suspect. >> There's no tears coming out of your face. >> I'm very dry right now. >> You're dry? >> I'm very dry. I'm part dehydrated. You can probably see my eyes are bloodshot red because I'm just tired and drained. I don't know what's going on. You want me to drink water so I could tear? Like what the [ __ ] is wrong with you? >> I don't want you to tear. I just don't want >> What are you trying to say? >> I'm just trying to say that this seems a little put on. >> Are you kidding me? Are you [ __ ] kidding me? Your eyes, it's guilty until proven innocent. I get it. >> Well, honey, your DNA was in the crime scene. That's why like >> on June 18th, 2024, Eugene Gliggle had his hands full. Literally, he had coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, walking outside his apartment in DC. And just when he thought his hands couldn't be any fuller, a US Marshall task force slapped handcuffs on them. He was arrested and quickly taken to the station. >> Can Can you let my girlfriend know that? >> Yeah. Yeah. We will. We will. >> Can you tell me what this is about? >> Yeah. You have a warrant. For what? >> I don't want to say anything. >> No. >> You got a warrant. My boss is going to tell you everything about it. Okay. That's all. >> He'll tell you. He'll give you a copy of it. Okay. >> And we'll figure out what we're going to do if the magistrate wants to keep you or let you go. >> Okay. >> So, my boss will come here and tell you what the warrant's. You >> have a seat right there. >> You can take the cuffs off and just change his ankle. Yep. Go ahead. Eugene then asked for water, not realizing that it was that same need for a drink that had put him here in the first place. >> Is there any way I can get some water? >> Um, yeah, I'll ask around. This isn't my home station, so I don't know. >> Where do you want water? >> Yeah, >> I'll get you some water. >> Go ahead and have a seat. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> The ankle cuffs were put on. A clear sign this wasn't just a casual talk. And then there's a a detective. She'll be able to explain a lot more to you. I don't know all the particulars. I'm just one of the guys that comes and and gets you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, just hang tight. She'll be right in here. Okay. >> I'll get you some water. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Finally, two detectives walked in. They have come a long way to interview him in DC. Hi, Jean. >> Hello. >> Water, right? Okay. >> And I'll be able to um >> if we need a break or something, we can let you know. >> Thank you. >> I am Detective McGraen. This is Detective Doo. >> Hi there. >> From Montgomery County. >> Okay. >> I'm sure you're wondering what this is all about. >> Really like to know. Um this has been really, really hard. Whatever's happening. Well, we're going to get through all of that with you. We just have to do some paperwork real quick. Y >> before any questioning could begin, they asked about his condition. >> Um before we can talk to you about anything, we have to read you your rights. Um so I have some of this filled out already, but um what is your physical condition today? Any injuries? Are you feeling okay? >> Um I mean I'm feeling a little bit caught off guard and um from the handcuffs there's seems to be a lump on my hand. I don't know if it Okay. >> Is um but you know I I have no idea. Is it swelling? Is it a blood clot? I I don't know. I've I've been holding my hand above my heart just so hopefully it >> helps to heal. Um you know otherwise um health conditions I mean I know I'm getting over tonsillitis so I I've been under the weather. Um but nothing antibiotics from that and uh yeah I mean nothing >> all right nothing that's um clouding your mental judgment or anything like that though >> physically he was fine but mentally not so much. >> And um are you sober right now? >> Yeah, I'm I'm 100% sober. I've >> been sober for years. >> Ask everybody. >> Yeah, these are just the form questions. years back he had a drinking problem. Maybe that was the reason they brought him in. >> Mhm. >> Um, what is your highest education level? >> High school. >> He was now living in DC with his girlfriend, but back in the late '9s, he had gone to Chvy Chase High School in Maryland. That's where these detectives came from to question him. >> Uh, do you speak any other languages? >> Um, not. >> So, English. His surname Gliggle is Romania, but he can't speak the language. From there, the detectives read him his Miranda rightites in English. >> You have the right now and at any time to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you. You have the right to a lawyer before and during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed. >> Once that formality was out of the way, the detectives explained why they were here. Okay. So, now that that's out of the way, we are from Montgomery County. We actually work in the cold case unit. Um, we investigate crimes that have been unsolved for quite a period of time. We investigate homicides and rape. So, um, we were working on a case that came from Chvy Chase and, um, when we were going through the case file, your name was in there, um, as someone that was related to the family, whether it we have a big list of people, but um, friends, family, something like that. So, um, do you recall back in 2001 Leslie Prier? >> Yes, that she was murdered. Yes. >> Yes. Okay. So that's the case that we are investigating. >> This case goes back to May 2nd, 2001 on Drummond Avenue in Maryland. Leslie Prier lived there. She was 49 and worked in DC. She was always on time, but that morning she never showed up for her 10:00 shift. By 10:30, her boss started asking around. He called her husband, who had last seen her around 7:45 a.m. when he left for work. That's when they both knew something was wrong and they needed rush to the house. By 11:30, her boss was knocking on the door, but no one answered. A little later, her husband arrived and tried his key only to find the door was already unlocked. They stepped inside. Right away, they saw blood everywhere. At the entrance, furniture was pushed around, and it was clear something bad had happened. The boss called 911 while her husband searched the house. He found the dog locked in the basement, but no sign of Leslie. Dispatchers told them to wait outside, so they did. When police searched upstairs, they found Leslie in the master bathroom. She was face down in the shower, the water still running. >> So that's the case that we are investigating. Um, so I you went to BCC with her daughter at the time, correct? >> Is that correct? Okay. And what was your relationship with Lauren, the daughter? >> Um, we had dated. >> Lauren had already told these detectives about Eugene. She and Eugene had been high school sweethearts. They lived just 10 minutes apart and spent all of time together. >> Okay. And when did you guys date? Do you remember years? >> Exact dates, I'm not entirely sure. Um, >> were you in high school or was it after high school? >> Yeah, it was high school. I'm not I'm not exactly sure. Maybe like 1994 to 1997 or something around there. Okay. >> Eugene was a familiar face in that neighborhood through his teenage years when he dated Lauren. But by the time Leslie was killed in 2001, Eugene was 21 and had already moved with his mother to Washington DC. If the detectives are investigating her murder, what does that have to do with him now? Well, back in 2001, when Leslie's autopsy was done, they found she had seven deep lacerations on her head. There were bruises across her torso and strangulation marks around her neck. Leslie was beaten, strangled, and then dragged upstairs into the shower. The killer had tried to wash her body. Forensic test showed large sections of the foyer had been wiped, but not well enough. There were swipe marks on the door, the floor, and the staircase. The cleanup was half-hearted. The violence was not. >> And from your dates of birth, I can see you're um a little bit younger than Lauren. So, was she already graduated from high school or were you guys both still in high school when you guys were dating? >> We were both in high school. She had finished high school. Um, and I believe we had dated for a few months while she was in college, but um, but that was it. >> That fit with what Lauren had told investigators. By 2001, they had moved in different directions. Back in 2001, while Eugene was starting a new life in DC, the forensics team was processing the crime scene. They found blood that belonged to an unknown male. They found male blood near the dining room window. Another in the kitchen doorway and a streak across the back door. The killer was bleeding. Leslie had fought hard. Forensics also found the same unknown DNA beneath her fingernails. Is that why Eugene is here now? Was it his DNA? But Eugene and Lauren loved each other. They were meant for one another, but their relationship didn't last. They split when they went to different universities. That happened years before Leslie was murdered. They both moved on to other partners. Every so often they would run into each other at mutual friends gatherings, but those encounters were brief. Never hostile. Then why is Eugene being investigated for decades old crime that he has no involvement in? >> You and Lauren had dated well before her mother was killed. Do you remember um like were you still in touch with Lauren when this stuff happened to her mom? >> Um no. We had broken up a couple years before um at least um maybe longer. I I'm not sure. And um believe I reached out just to send my regards and um maybe saw her a couple times and um but that was it. >> Okay. >> Back when Leslie was murdered in 2001, detectives compared the unknown blood to every man in Leslie's circle. Her husband was the last person with her, so he was checked first, ruled out by DNA. relatives, friends, neighbors, even co-workers were vetted, but none managed and the case slowly ran cold. >> How you found out about it? >> Um, I remember I was at work and I believe she had actually told me that she had come into where I was working at a restaurant and she had had told me that what >> restaurant was that to >> um it was a restaurant called Blacks. >> Okay. >> In Bethesda, >> okay, >> that moment stayed with him, a regular shift at work, interrupted by sad news that would come back to him decades later. >> When you guys were dating, how close were you with the family? Like, did you spend a lot of time at their house or did you know them real well? >> I knew the family. I, you know, definitely spent time, she spent time at my house. I've spent time at her house. Um, yeah, for sure. >> So, how were you close with her parents? >> I mean, I wouldn't say close with them. I don't know how much um I I don't know if close would be the right word. Um, but they were friendly with me and nice to me. So, um, yeah, I mean, >> okay, >> that lined up with what detectives already knew. Leslie had welcomed him during his time with her daughter, but her husband had never fully trusted Eugene, and his suspicion was right. Eugene had a record, a weapons possession charge, a DUI, suspicions of thefts in the area, even rumors of an assault near his high school. Lauren defended him back then, insisting he wasn't dangerous. Still, to her father, there had always been something off. >> And when you were younger, did you ever get in any trouble with the police or anything? >> Not particularly. No. Okay. Um, yeah. Not Not that I can call. >> He wasn't fooling anyone. The detectives already knew his record. So when he tried to deny it, it only stood out more as a red flag. >> Or did you guys spend more time at your house or what did you guys do when you >> I mean it was a mix. My house, her house, go being out. I mean, young and teenagers, so there was, you know, going out. And >> that detail wasn't just small talk. It placed him squarely within striking distance of Leslie's home. When the police found no match for the DNA, the case went cold. But over the years, technology moved forward. By 2018, a new tool in forensic science changed everything. It used DNA from crime scenes to trace suspects through distant relatives. That method has already solved hundreds of cold cases. Can it find out who killed Leslie Pri? When you found out about Lauren's mom, do you remember who you were dating at the time or were you dating anybody? >> Um, I don't recall who I was dating at the time, but um, yeah. No, I'm not 100% certain. I mean, I I've been dating, but I'm not sure. >> Okay. And so, you were working at a bar. Um, what else was going on in your life at that time? >> Um, I I can't recall. I mean, >> were you working or were you in school? >> In college or >> um I worked I think I was in taking classes in college at the time. >> Um where did you go to college? >> Uh Montgomery College. >> Okay. In the Rockville or Soma Park. >> Um but I took classes at both. >> Okay. >> So Eugene went on with his life. He was never interviewed. His DNA was never collected. He went to college, got a degree, and built a life in DC. But then came September 2022. That's when the cold case unit handed over the unknown DNA to Oram Labs. And they found something, a shared genetic marker that pointed not to Eugene, but to someone in Romania, a distant relative of the killer, who had uploaded their DNA to a commercial ancestry database in search of family history that cracked the case wide open. For two painstaking years, detectives built a family tree, ruling people in and out until they reached Eugene Gleigor. How well did you know Lauren's mom? Like, was there ever any kind of a weird relationship between you two after Lauren? >> No. Okay. >> I mean, I wasn't in touch, so I don't. >> Okay. So, you were never like dating Lauren's mom or anything like that behind the scenes? >> No. >> Okay. I I just I wasn't I wasn't up in touch, you know. >> Okay. >> At first glance, his story fit the file. He had been Laurens's boyfriend years earlier, but had drifted away before the murder. There seemed no clear reason he would resurface in Leslie's life. Yet, his DNA was found in her home. The reason that we wanted to talk to you is because a lot of the people whose names are in the case file, they've been interviewed throughout the years and they've been asked to give DNA samples to compare to DNA from the crime scene. And most of the pretty much everybody that's in the list has been talked to has been eliminated as a suspect. Your name was actually in the file, but they never reached out to you or never spoke to you for some reason. So that's why we wanted to reach out to you and see if you remember or recall anything about the time when Leslie was killed. Anything that you remember about your life at the time that like could be relevant, any relationships you had with the family or anything like that? >> I I really don't recall. >> Okay. >> That vagueness might once have saved him. In fact, it did. Back in 2002, long before genetic genealogy existed, Eugene's name did come on the radar. Eugene's neighbor tipped the police about his underage drinking, marijuana, and loud parties at the house and suspected Eugene might have killed Leslie. Despite the tip, detectives never followed up. Eugene was in. With no contact with the victim's family and no motive, he was never swabbed, never questioned. If they had, the case would have been solved decades ago. >> So, from the crime scene, we have DNA from the person who was there when Leslie died. So, there's Leslie's blood all over the place, obviously. Um, but then there's also another DNA profile that was picked up from the crime scene and we had put that into KOTUS, our database from the national COTUS um, DNA index system and it has never hit. So whoever was there, whoever's DNA was also on the scene has never been arrested. And that's why we were going through doing all these elimination DNA samples to find out, you know, okay, well, this person couldn't have done it because we matched their DNA to it. Um, so we realized that they never talked to you, never did anything, and we wanted to find out more about you and if there was any kind of situation where you could have been at the house at that time. I I'm just I'm a little confused to find out more and talk to me. Why not just call me and ask me to come in and and talk to me versus have marshals come and arrest me and bring me in? I'm I'm just confused as to why that's the case. >> Well, because we needed to talk to you in a controlled environment and because there's a little bit more to it than what we've told you so far. >> Could Could you tell me? While we're getting there, I'm trying to give you an opportunity to be a little bit forthcoming before we >> I mean, I I I'm I feel very I feel a little bit trapped here. Like, >> well, you're under arrest, so you should feel >> right. And so, I I think, you know, I I mean, probably asking for a lawyer is my best course of action at this point. >> Um, >> okay. >> Instead of doing any more discussing or talking about it, it just doesn't seem I don't understand. So, I'd like to have somebody >> That's why we're trying to talk to you about it. >> I know. And there's two of you and one of me. So, I I feel a little outnumbered. Um, and I probably would need some type of representation if I am under arrest, as you said, which which I am. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And so, I I think that having a lawyer would be the best for me in in my interest at this point. >> That's totally fine. And >> after the cold case unit traced the DNA to a Romanian relative, detectives eventually traced Eugene Giggor living in Washington DC. But before they could arrest him, they still needed the one thing that mattered most, his DNA. On June 9th, 2024, they staged a covert operation. Eugene landed at Dallasos International Airport after a trip to Europe. Undercover agents directed him to a secondary screening room at the airport. They made him wait alone in the room with a row of plastic water bottles placed neatly on a table. The tactic worked and he grabbed one, took a sip, and discarded it into the trash. Agents immediately collected the bottle and rushed it to the lab. The results were irrefutable. It was a match. It was Eugene Gliggor all along. We don't have to ask you any more questions, but we are going to just tell you some stuff. Okay. >> Okay. >> Um, so from the crime scene, the DNA that was taken, we actually have a sample of your DNA and it was compared to the crime scene DNA and it matched. So, we know that you were there at the time when Leslie died. >> And I never gave a sample of DNA. >> That's correct. We obtained a sample from a discarded water bottle that you drank out of. So, you were followed and we collected it after you discarded it into the trash and it was swabbed and it was compared. So, your DNA matches the crime scene DNA. >> I don't know what to say. I I'm not I have no recollection. I have no memory. I have no I I I don't know what to say. >> Okay. Well, that's why >> with that, the investigators wanted to hear if Eugene had any other explanation, any reason his DNA would be under Leslie's fingernails. >> You know, we wanted to try to see if there was another angle or another side to this story. And >> you know, we know >> why would my DNA be there? >> That's what we're trying to figure out. >> So, I don't know. I I I don't know. You know, I mean, I was in the house, but it was years before, you know, when I dated her. Correct. >> Um I I don't know. I wish I could tell you. You don't know. I don't understand. This is all very bewildering, very strange. He had no explanation. The walls were closing in and all he could offer was the same tired mix of denial, confusion, and outright lost memory. Eugene finally asked if the detectives could tell him more. >> Is there more that you're going to tell me? Is there >> I mean, we've told you plenty. We We can't continue to ask you questions. If you want to keep talking, we can. But if you want to stop, you have to let us know for sure. >> Yeah. >> We can tell you more about, you know, what we think happened. >> I I don't I mean, what you think happened, I don't know. I can't verify. I don't know. I don't recall. I don't have any memory. I didn't do anything that you're talking about. So, I don't know. And I don't feel like I can I don't know how to answer or go into I don't want to incriminate myself with questions. You guys are professionals. I'm not. I I don't know. I I really do think I need an attorney. I need to use the phone and I need to call someone and I need to I need legal representation before I respond to anything else. I I >> Okay, that's fine. Um we're not going to ask you any more questions. But then the detective noticed something strange. >> There's no tears coming out of your face. >> I'm very dry right now. >> You're dry. >> I'm very dry. I'm parched. I'm dehydrated. You can probably see my eyes are bloodshot red because I'm just tired and drained. I don't know what's going on. You want me to drink water so I could tear? Like, what is wrong with you? >> I don't want you to tear. I just don't want >> What are you trying to say? I'm just trying to say that this seems a little put on. >> Are you kidding me? Are you [ __ ] kidding me? >> No. >> Oh my god. You're so full of it. You're You're just You're after This is This is the police. This is Yes. Like it makes sense. You know, it's in your eyes. It's guilty until proven innocent. I get it. >> Well, honey, your DNA was in the crime scene. That's why like there's a reason. I mean, there's there's just there's there's there's due process, right? Due process. So, you're saying that so you're saying I'm guilty before I've even been put into a court of law? >> You're saying that there's probable cause to believe that you were there when >> I think what you were saying was the contrary to that. So, okay. But I don't remember. >> Back in his teens, Eugene had been tied to a string of burglaries. Is that how Leslie died? Another breakin. Eugene knew the house, knew where valuables were kept. What he didn't expect was to run into Leslie. He didn't end up taking anything. Instead, put his energy to cover his tracks. >> Figure out is how your blood was at the scene that day. >> If there's an alternate explanation, that's why we wanted to talk to you today. Okay. So, I feel like you just need to take a breath for a second. Okay. That's what we're trying to figure out. Why is your blood there? >> Could it have been, you know, an interrupted burglary? Did something happen where you didn't expect anybody to be home? >> I have no idea. I don't remember. I don't recall. >> Again, you're asking me questions. I I don't know. And I asked you you did you just asked me a question and I asked for legal representation and you guys are very smart smug looking at me like I'm like I've done something and of course it's innocent until proven guilty. Right. >> Am I wrong or am I right? >> You are entitled to your due process. Absolutely. >> This is insane. This is insane. I don't I I really don't know what else to say other than please allow me to you you read it to me, right? That I am allowed legal representation. >> Absolutely. >> This would be the best thing for me to do right now. I don't >> I'm not going to ask you any more questions. >> You said you wanted to know more, so we were telling you more. >> There is no point talking to him any further. >> Well, we're done talking to you. They're going to walk you back over to processing and once they are done, I don't know if they've done fingerprints and all that stuff with you yet. Once they're done with all that and you meet with I think in DC you're going to still meet with a commissioner and be charged with this paperwork for this or be served with it and then you'll have an opportunity to make whatever phone calls you need to make. >> Okay. >> As the interview almost came to the end, the detectives noticed that Eugene has not once denied the allegations against him. I'm I'm really confused and I'm really at a loss and I I don't know. I don't have any recollection of being involved with any of this. I'm >> You keep saying you don't remember. And you don't have any recollection. >> But if somebody was not involved, it would be an adamant I didn't do. >> Oh, I didn't do it. I did. I definitely didn't do it. Like this is absolutely I definitely This is You know, I've been an alcoholic in recovery for years now. I've been sober for years. And there are many, many times in which it earlier life wasn't great. You know, abusive father, uh, issues at, you know, but at the same time, this isn't something that I I I know I didn't do it. I know I wasn't involved and I just don't understand how this has come to this. I really wish I knew and I really wish I could tell you some give you some answers and give you more feedback from an honest perspective because I just don't know. I just don't know. I don't >> I don't know either. That's why we wanted to talk to you. I don't know why your blood is there also. I don't know. It was then that the detectives made a point that was undeniable. Wow. >> The only person that knows is Leslie and she can't tell us. >> Wow. >> And with that, the interview came to an end. Eugene was escorted to his jail cell. He wasn't fooling anyone, and he was charged with firstderee murder. In the years following his arrest, Eugene carried himself with a composed, almost studious air. Behind bars, he taught yoga to other inmates, conducted trauma talks, and completed over a 100 online courses, including studies in Buddhism. In May 2025, Eugene Gliggor pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of secondderee murder. It was an admission that he had taken Leslie's life but never planned it. With that plea, he faced up to 30 years in prison. On August 28th, 2025, he was sentenced to 22 years, followed by 5 years of supervised probation. Before handing down the sentence, the judge asked him the question everyone had wondered for more than two decades. Why had this happened? Eugene had no answer. To this day, Eugene claims he does not remember the attack. Standing in court, he said killing Leslie is the greatest regret of his life. But the truth of what happened that night, the why of it all, remains a mystery that only he could solve.