Seeking Closure After Two Decades

This is Deborah Roberts, here with another weekly episode of our latest trrue Crime series from ABC and ABC Audio Blood and water Remember, you can get new episodes early by following Blood and Water on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you're listening right now Here's the next episode Blood and water. You survived the Miami weekend, nailed the speech, and maxed out your credit card in the name of friendship Now you've got one hangover, four pastel dresses, and zero reasons to wear them again. Sell them on depop Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. And you at least get some of your dignity Money back Someone on DepPop wants what you've got Start selling now Ste upop where taste recognizes taste One morning in the summer of twenty twenty four Eugene Gigor was sitting on his stoop in Northwest Washington, D.C. Lillig Gore was forty five with wavy brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard He wore glasses and a polo shirt with the logo of the company he worked for stitched above the heart. Glkor lived on a charming street lined with pre war buildings and a red brick sidewalk Just down the block was the main drag A trendy stretch dotted with brunch spots and a trader Joe's It was in this picturesque setting Geor was abruptly arrested Whats up man Hey You'tbody back back here Gigor was surrounded by five plainclothes officers who handcuffed him and led him to a car Can you tell me what this is about? Yeah, you have a war. For what? I don't know Has you got anything recly? No. Five officers arresting one man would have been an unusual sight on this street. This embarrassing. Not only was Gligor embarrassed He also said he was in pain from the handcuffs On my right hand, this is really cutting off All right second. We'll adjust it. We'lljust it, change it Just a second. Okay. hold on. It's not made for comfort, but we'll make it I get it. Yeah, we'll make it.ll In the body camera footage, the officers don't tell Glihor what he's being arrested for, but he'd find out later that day Gleeor was about to come face to face with the cold case detectives who spent years trying to find Leslie Preer's killer. Now that Gigor was in custody, the detectives would confront him with what their investigation had uncovered. And as you'll hear Yuing Geore Did it. takeake it well ABC Audio in twenty twenty I'm Stephanie Ramos And This is Bood and water Episode six. Face to face Right there After Eugene Gligor was arrested He was taken into an interrogation room Anyway I can get some water I'll h you some m. Good and have a see you. Thank you Soon after, detectives Tara Augustin and Alison DuPois walked in and took a seat Hi Jane.. This interview would end up being the only time detectives sat down with Gigor. The stakes were high I sure you're wondering what this is all about. I'd really like to know. This has been really really hard whatever is happening The detectives began by reiding Gigor his rights and asking some standard questions What is your physical condition today? any injuries? Are you feeling okay? I mean, I'm feeling a little bit caught off guard and from the handcuffs, there seems to be a lump on my hand. I don't know if Okay, is is it swelling? Is it Blood clot, I don't know. Okay So I've been holding my hand above my heart just so hopefully it helps to heal. The detectives began telling Gleigor about the case they'd been working on. We are from Montgomery County. We actually work in the cold case unit. Do you recall back in two thousand one, Leslie Prier Yes, that she was murdered. Yeah. Okay. So that's the case that we are investigating. What was your relationship with Mauren, a daughter? We had dated Okay, and when did you guys date Do remember years? exact dates, I'm not entirely sure There were lots of details, Gigor said he didn't remember When he did answer questions, he didn't reveal all that much. 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 know definitely spend time. She spent time at my house. I've spent time at her house Yeah You know, for sure. So how were you close with your parents I mean, I wouldn't say close with them. I don't know if close would be the right word Bye They were friendly with me and nice to me. so Were you at her house a lot of the time O 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 being out. I mean, we young and teenagers. so there's You know, going out and Watching the footage Gleigor seems to be holding back But he's not the only one When detectives began telling Gigor about the case They left out key details They did not immediately say, We have your DNA and it matched the crime scene DNA Instead, what they told him was a little more cryptic. 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. But then there's also another DNA profile that was picked up from the crime scene. 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 What's fascinating about this interview is that It feels like Gigor and the detectives are doing a sort of dance Both sides are trying to figure out what the other knows without revealing too much about what they themselves know And it's not just the detectives who are asking questions. 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 talk to me versus have marshals come and arrest me and brring me in, 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 you tell me? Well we're getting there. I'm trying to give you an opportunity to be a little bit forthcoming before we I mean, I feel very I feel a little bit trapped here. like Well, you're under arrest, so you should feel R. And so I think, you know I mean, probably asking for a lawyer is my best course of action at this point With that The detectives tell Gigor Okay No more questions That's totally fine. And we don't have to ask you any more questions, but we are going to just tell you some stuff. Okay Okay And then The detectivive lay their cards out on the table. 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. I never gave a sample of DNA. That's correct. We obtained a sample from a discarded water bottle that you drank out of and we collected it after you discarded it into the trash and it was swab and it was compared. So your DNA matches the crime scene DNA. say, I am not No recollection, I have no memory, I have no I don't know what to say. Okay. Well, that's why we wanted to talk to you to find out if there's any other explanation You know, we wanted to try to see if there was another angle or another side to this story. and you know, we know would my DNA be there? That's what we're trying to figure out. So I don't know. I don't know, you know? I mean, I was in the house, but it was years before know when I dated her Um I don't know. I wish I could tell you We Ps. Is there more like you're gonna tell me Is there more? I mean, we've told you plenty. we can't continue to ask you questions. Yeah. I can tell you more about, you know, what we think happened So I mean, what do 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 and into. I don't want to incriminate myself with questions. You guys are professionals? I'm not. I don't know. I really do think I need an attorney. I need to use the phone and I need to call someone and I need legal representation before I resespond to anything else. I Okay That's fine. We're not going to ask you any more questions There's no tears coming out of your face very dry right now. You're dry. I'm very dry. I'm por like hydratedestly my eyes are bloodshot red because I'm just tired and draed. I don know what's going on. You want me to drink water so I can tear like Noar you. I don't want you to tear. I just don't want What you try to say I'm just trying to say that this seems a little put on. Are you kidding me I kiding me? No Oh my God, you're so full of it. You you're just you're after This is this is the police. this is Yes, but like it makes sense, you know, it's In your eyes, it's guilty until prove it itnoc I get it. Well, I mean, your DNA was in the crime scene. That's why like there's a real there's justs 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 it into a court of law I say that there's a probable cause I believe that you were there when I think what you were saying was The contrary to that. So okay, but I don't remember. I don't know. I don't I don't know. We're trying to 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 in interterrupted burglary, does 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 don't know I asked 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 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 Oh, I didn't do it. I definitely didn't do it Yugin Gigor was adamant But the detectives They weren't buying it And they later told me what they were thinking. as this unusual interview continue to unfold The Athletic brerewing company crafts award winning non alcoholic beers for those who want to be part of every round. 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Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop. With Mint, you can get premium wireless for just fifteen dollars a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments, but that's weird. Okay, one judgment Anyway, give it a try at mintmobile d. com slash switch Upfront payment of forty five dollars for three month plan, equalent to fifteen dollars per month required intro rate for first three months only, then full price plan options available tax and fees extra. Safful terms at MintMobile. com If you were rehearsing in your head, what you would say, twenty three years waiting to be caught for a murder I'm guessing he had been working on his performance for a while Last summer, when I interviewed detectives Tara Augustin and Allison Dupois We watched the footage of their interview with Eugene Gigor. The camera was positioned high above the room Too far up to read Gligor's face clearly But the detectives insisted Glee horse hereers were' not real It was very put on That was my opinion of it sitting there watching it. He sounds emotional. He sounds like he's crying I can't really see it from this angle, but you could. bothoth of you could. You're sitting right across hands, taking his glasses off, rubbing his eyes performance of a lifetime The detective said Gligor wanted to come off as someone to feel sorry for. An innocent man. Who just happened to be in handcuffs And you called him out on that. I guess what was going through my mind was If a jury were to watch this, It's not close up enough to show that he's really not crying. and his performance To me looked very fake, but I don't know what it's going to look like to twelve people who four feet away from them He was very much wanting to be the victim in the situation You want to make sure that the focus is on Leslie She's the victim here. He's not the victim I've been an alcoholic in recovery for years now. I've been sober for years And there are many, many times in which Earlier life wasn't Bak But at the same time 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 back 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 The only person that knows is Leslie, and she can't tell us Wow When you walked out of that room, what went through your mind? What were you thinking? I was frustrated because I wanted to be able to give answers to the family and he just wasn't providing any. time of Eug Jing Gigor's arrest Lauren Prier lived through more than two decades of pain and confusion From two thousand one on The mystery of who killed her mother remained unsolved And for years, suspicion hung over her father. Sandy Prier Sandy died without knowing the truth You never got closure And Lauren thought She might not either But when we spoke Lauren told me there came a moment sometime in the years after her father died where she felt like she might finally be able to make peace with everything that had happened If I have to accept this than I have to because my parents are together and I can't live the rest of my life every single day pain and in fear and scared and sad That's not the right path. The right path is It happens And you have to give yourself grace But you can't live every single day terror and fear and sadness. You're never going to get through So you were already telling yourself, I need to accept this. correct Both my parents are gone. I need to move on. And then you get the call And my world was once again upside down Throughout the investigation, the Cold case detectives had followed standard procedure They told Lauren little to nothing about what they were uncovering She had no idea that her high school boyfriend was a suspect So when her phone rang on june eighteenth, twenty twenty four day of Gigor's arrest was the moment that Lauren finally learned the truth. She calls you. She says Eu Jing Gigor. killed your mom What goes through your mind You can't even process it I was in shock I said what? I'm still in shock. Total shock. And I was like, are you sure she is like, yeah Y boyfriend killed your mother. Yes. Did you ever think Eugene would be capable of something like this? Nobody did No one. I mean, I loved him. Back then, I really did It's gotta hurt to know that He's the person responsible for the loss of your mom Right. And the fact that it someone I knew that I dated, went a prom with is insane As Lauren grappled with this news, detectives asked what she remembered about Eugene and their relationship Detective Allison Dupois. Lauren said, you know, my mom would have given him anything he wanted if he had just asked. you know, meaning this was unnecessary. She would have helped him if he needed help My mom was just open door, you know? When he was who who he was, when I dated him, she loved him. She adored him My mom totally took it in That really stuck with me because that was the kind of person Leslie was. I think she was just a sweetheart that was just trying to do the best she can and would have helped any of her daughter's friends if they needed it News of Yugin Gligor's arrest spread quickly among the people who knew him Lisa Wood One of Lauren's friends from high school Rembers Lauren calling her I answered the phone and she said It was him When she said it was him, I'm like, what are you talking about? And then she said, it was Eugene. and Still at that point, I'm thinking What are you talking about? And she's like, Eugene, Eugene killed my mom and I still I still cannotm I just still can't wrap my head around that This copathetic Zen person who had all this advice Murdered someone Jordan Wiers, Eugene's former colleague and mentee He showed us photos of him and Eugene smiling with their colleagues Jordan struggled to make sense of his memories of Eugene Given what he knows now. It's just a little Scary King that personers who pet our cat and the person that You know, was just standing here in this photo with me extinguish the life of another human being I'm looking at him now through a different lens of what I know and the person that back then wouldn't have thought twice about me enough picture with him, right? It's like, o That'suen And now I'm just wondering what's going on behind those eyes After twenty three years Someone was in custody for the murder of Leslie Prier But a youuing Gligor's arrest didn't answer the question at the core of this case Why Why was Leslie Prior killed? Warning, the following Zip Recruiter radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words. When you are hiring, we at Zip Recriter know you can feel frustrated. Forlorn even. Efforts are futile And you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people only to get flooded with candidates who are just Fine. 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It's one hundred and thirty four years of putting it all on the line and the heaviest thirty five pounds ever lifted. It's broken curses and broken hearts. But for those chasing it, it's everything. The only question is Who will take it? You just have to watch the Stanley Cup final presented by Geio on ABC in the ESPN app In june twenty twenty four, Yujing Gligor was arrested and charged with first degree murder. If convicted, he faced a possible life sentence In the months after Gligor's arrest, the run up to a trial began, with prosecutors and Gligor's attorneys making a flurry of filings Then, in april twenty twenty five Things came to a screeching halt When Yuging Gigor plleed guilty to murder in the second degree as a result Gigor would avoid life in prison And There would be no trial I asked Lauren about Eugene's plea What was your reaction to that Thank God You didn't want to go to trial. No That would have been hell No trial meant avoiding long days in court days likely spent looking at gruesome evidence Plus, there's no guarantee. that a trial would have answered the big question at the center of this case Why on earth did Euging Gore murder Leslie Prior Phill In diggking through court filings and evidence collected by police, There are hints that might help explain how the grizzly events of may second, two thousand one came to pass I asked Detective Tara Augustine for her theory of the case Based on all of this evidence, what do you think and to Leslie that morning when she was killed I think that Eugene thought no one was home and didn't expect for Leslie to be there and she came downstairs and confronted him. I think in his mind He realized he was caught because it's not just a stranger, it's somebody who knows exactly who he is. And instead of just admitting that he was wrong or talking to her about it, I think that he just panicked and only thought about himself and made a selfish decision to kill Leslie in the heat of the moment just so he could get away. Prosecutors would later file a sentencing memo. It quoted an account of that day from Gigor. It reads On may first, two thousand one Mr. Gigor remembered drinking both shots and mixed drinks He stated that he vaguely remembered driving to work and stopping off at the Payer house around nine thirty AM on may second, two thousand one He recalled a vague memory of going into the house and he and Miss Prior having some sort of a physical altercation He does not recall placing her in the shower or trying to clean up the crime scene On the day Gigor appeared in court to enter his plea Lauren was in the room She was once again in the presence of her high school boyfriend This time U vastly different circumstances What was it like to be so close to him It was horrifying. Did he look at you? No He didn't look at anybody. But he knew At this time, M mr. Gbore, you do have the absolute right to address the court before I sentence you in this matter A few months after Gigor took a plea deal, In August of twenty twenty five He appeared before judge for his sentencing It was there C Core made a statement Honour shame and remorse the devastating tragedy that I caused taking the life of Leslie Preer. in his statement to the court Gigor said he wanted to atone for the pain and suffering he had caused He also said he had buried and suppressed his thoughts of the tragedy for most of his adult life I'm sorry it's taken me this long to take full responsibility I'm grateful the time has come and release the secret is over Likor also spoke about his mental state around the time of the murder I had many blackouts leading up to the evening of may first and the morning of may second, two thousand one but none of that resulted in the most regretful and devastating event of my life I've never been a violent person I vaguely remember leaving the Payer house in the morning, but the rest is a blur I know Lauren and Leslie's family want to know why I was there and what happened I sorry, I'm unable to remember and provide an explanation I never had any issue with Leslie. No it will or malice or malevolent content If anything, I owe her a debt of gratitude for being so kind to me when I dated Lauren praying that she was not dead, that she would revive I felt so sick and disgusted with myself for what I had done Laora Leslies family I can't believe I did this to you old. for I've always held a piece of our relationship and love in my heart. I only have positive memories of us and your mom. You were were part of my family and I felt that I was a part of yours I know this must have been a nightmare prosecutors Lihor's recollection of the day in question was a little too tidy in a filing The state wrote quote The defendant's account of what he does and doesn't remember conveniently allows him to avoid taking full responsibility for the most gruesome and calculated aspects of the murder The state finds the defendant's selective memory implausible At the sentencing, Lauren Prier also spoke She addressed Gigor directly She called him a monster and a wolf in sheep's clothing And she asked Why would you kill my mom Jujing Gigor was sentenced to twenty two years in prison fiveive years of supervised probation He's currently serving time in a state prison about two hours northwest of Chevy Chase twenty four years Leslie Prier's killer is behind bars And Luren Payer has answers Talking about her mom and dad is still bittersweet You've said some wonderful things about your mother. She seemed like a wonderful, wonderful mom. You have no idea. She was my hope, my pride, my joy, my beauty I just love her so much I became a different person in my world changed Completely. I had this like perfect world before this all happened. perfect. I mean, everyone has their ups and downs, but it was The wonderful world