Blood and Water: Looking for Leslie - 20/20

Summary

20/20 Podcast Summary: Blood and Water — “Looking for Leslie” (April 29, 2026)

Episode Overview

The premiere episode of “Blood and Water,” a six-part original true crime series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, investigates the 2001 murder of Leslie Prear, a mother living in the D.C. suburbs. Initially, suspicion fell on her husband, Sandy, but only decades later would forensic technology reveal the true killer. Episode one, “Looking for Leslie,” sets the stage by recounting Leslie’s last day from the perspectives of her colleagues, her daughter Lauren, and those closest to the case, highlighting the shocking discovery and its immediate aftermath.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Morning Leslie Disappeared

[01:23 – 05:16]

Linda Lyle recalls May 2, 2001:
“It was a beautiful, beautiful May day. The sun was shining.” (Linda Lyle, 01:31)
Leslie Prear, reliable part-time admin, is missing from work. Concerns begin to mount as she had previously been warned about tardiness.
- “She was kind of on probation, if you will.” (Brett Reedy, 03:06)
Brett Reedy (her boss) calls Leslie’s home and, finding no answer, finally contacts her husband, Sandy, who is unaware of any commitments Leslie might have had.
- “…He goes, no, very quickly. And he goes, that's not good.” (Brett Reedy, 04:26)

2. Brett Reedy’s Search and the Scene at the House

[06:32 – 15:03]

Brett drives to Leslie’s house, describing Chevy Chase as a “calm, quiet, respectable, and wealthy” area.
- “Great neighborhood. I had about probably six friends that lived on this street from elementary school.” (Brett Reedy, 07:38)
The once-idyllic home has since been demolished, replaced by a modern house.
When Brett arrives at the Prear home, Sandy follows, and together they enter to find a gruesome scene: a large pool of blood in the foyer, blood smeared on stairs and walls, an overturned table, and evidence of attempted clean-up.
- “As soon as I walk in, I look to my right and there's a large pool of blood. I mean, it's a significant amount of blood.” (Brett Reedy, 11:45)
- “He kept going that route [insisting it was a fall].” (Brett Reedy, 15:09)
Brett experiences a moment of terror when the basement door creaks open—only to find the family dog, not Leslie.

3. Discovery of Leslie’s Body and the Aftermath

[15:39 – 20:13]

After 15 minutes searching, Brett calls 911 reporting “blood in the foyer.”
- “…looks like something possibly happened.” (Brett Reedy, 16:55)
Police arrive, enter the home, and quickly discover Leslie’s body upstairs in the shower. The news is delivered bluntly to Sandy:
- “Sir, your wife is dead.” (Police Officer, relayed by Brett Reedy, 19:10)
Sandy appears in shock and disbelief.
- “Disbelief. What I don't understand. How can that be?” (Brett Reedy, 19:44)

4. Leslie’s Daughter Lauren — Family Perspectives

[22:03 – 27:23]

Lauren Prear, age 23 in 2001, recalls the close relationship with her mother.
- “My mom and I were best friends. Yeah, she was… everything.” (Lauren Prear, 24:20)
Lauren is notified through a roundabout process: her mother isn't at work, she’s told to call her father, sees a police car arrive, and receives the devastating news of Leslie’s death.
- “She’s no longer with us anymore... screamed like what you hear in horror movies.” (Lauren Prear, 25:16)
At first, Leslie’s death is characterized as an accident, but days later the detective corrects that:
- “The detective came to my place and said this was not an accident. It's a homicide.” (Lauren Prear, 27:23)

5. Early Theories & Investigation

[27:32 – 30:00]

Leslie was killed in the foyer, sustained blunt force and strangulation, then dragged upstairs & placed in a scalding shower—possibly in an attempt to remove evidence.
- “A large V shaped wound on her head matched the outline of the baseboards near the front door.” (Narrator, 27:32)
- “The water had been so hot, it caused thermal burns.” (Narrator)
No signs of forced entry; blood appeared to have been hastily cleaned from some surfaces.
Initial suspicion falls on Sandy, Leslie’s husband, given the lack of forced entry and tense marital history. However, Lauren is adamant her father could not be responsible.
- “And the scary part was, is that they tried to put it on my father. I said, no. I’m like, my dad loved my mom. Loved, adored her.” (Lauren Prear, 29:01)
Detectives uncover signs of marital tension and frequent arguments.
- “Just bam, bam, bam. Just keep coming at you. Just keep coming at you. And it was, it was, it wasn't fun.” (Detective, 29:23)
The episode ends noting the case was full of unexpected revelations, dead ends, and “secrets in the prayer house.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“She had a quiet manner. She was dainty to me.”
– Linda Lyle, on Leslie Prear (02:12)
“That’s a hell of a fall.”
– Brett Reedy, skeptical of Sandy's fall explanation (14:52)
“Somebody hurt somebody and tried to clean it up.”
– Brett Reedy, realizing the gravity of what he was seeing (15:09)
“She always stayed with me. And that’s a scary but wonderful memory.”
– Lauren Prear, reflecting on her mother’s devotion (23:28)
“Your mom has been in an accident… she’s no longer with us anymore. I was like, what?”
– Lauren Prear, on receiving the news (25:16)
“The detective came to my place and said this was not an accident. It’s a homicide.”
– Lauren Prear (27:23)
“It’s guilty until proven innocent, honey… Your DNA was in the crime scene.”
– Lauren Prear, reflecting on the suspicion on her father (29:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Leslie’s Absence at Work & Initial Concern: 01:23 – 05:16
Brett Drives to Leslie’s Home, Description of Neighborhood: 06:32 – 09:03
Discovery of Bloody Scene: 11:36 – 15:03
911 Call & Police Arrival: 16:12 – 19:10
Discovery of Leslie’s Body / Notification to Family: 19:39 – 25:16
Lauren’s Childhood Memories & Relationship: 22:16 – 24:20
Autopsy Results & Homicide Announcement: 27:23 – 29:01
Early Police Investigation & Marital Secrets: 29:13 – 30:00

Tone, Language & Atmosphere

The episode blends the mournful reminiscence of a shattered family (“Just wonderful. See, I knew I was gonna cry.” – Lauren Prear) with the analytical, methodical tone of investigative reporting.
Interviewees speak candidly, with vulnerability and, at times, incredulity about the violent turn of events in an otherwise ordinary and privileged suburb.
Tension is palpable throughout, punctuated by vivid descriptions of the crime scene and the slow, dawning horror of all involved.

Episode Conclusion

“Looking for Leslie” leaves listeners with a long list of questions and an intimate view into the impact of violent crime on family and community. Decades after Leslie Prear’s murder, the truth remains elusive, foreshadowing the twists and forensic advances that will ultimately shape the rest of the series.

Transcript

Debra Roberts (0:00)

This is Debra Roberts. You're about to hear the first episode of the latest true crime original podcast from 2020 and ABC Audio. A shocking six part series called Blood and Water. The story of loss, loyalty and a family nearly shattered by tragedy. In 2001, Leslie Prear, a mom living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. was found murdered in the bathroom of her own home. Suspicion fell on her husband, Sandy, and investigators had him in their sights for years. But decades later, innovations in forensic technology give detectives a chance to re examine the DNA of another unknown person at the scene of the crime. Finally, after more than 20 years, these cold case detectives were able to piece together evidence that revealed the real killer and brought justice to Leslie's family. Hear what really happened to Leslie Prear. We'll be sharing weekly episodes on Wednesdays right here on the 2020 podcast feed over the next six weeks, starting right now with episode one. But if you want to get started, you can get new episodes early by following Blood and Water on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you're listening now. Now here's episode one of Blood and Water.

Narrator (Stephanie Ramos) (1:23)

May 2, 2001 was 25 years ago, but Linda Lyle still remembers what the weather was like that day.

Linda Lyle (1:31)

It was a beautiful, beautiful May day. The sun was shining. It was. It was just a beautiful day.

Narrator (Stephanie Ramos) (1:38)

Back then, Linda was working at an advertising company on the edge of Washington D.C. it was a small office and Linda knew all her colleagues by name, including a woman named Leslie Prear.

Linda Lyle (1:52)

Leslie was a part time employee. She had been brought. We were desperate for someone to file.

Narrator (Stephanie Ramos) (1:59)

Leslie helped with the administrative side of the business. She'd been with the company for four years. She was in her late 40s, but looked a lot younger. A classic Grace Kelly esque beauty with dark hair and fine features.

Linda Lyle (2:12)

Oh, she was beautiful. She had a quiet manner. She was dainty to me.

Narrator (Stephanie Ramos) (2:20)

But on this particular spring morning in 2001, Leslie was not at work as scheduled.

Linda Lyle (2:28)

She didn't show up.

Narrator (Stephanie Ramos) (2:31)

This was a problem from a business perspective. It was Leslie's job to mail invoices. If no invoices went out, no money was coming in.