20/20: The After Show

Episode: First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Debra Roberts
Guest: Stephanie Ramos (ABC News Correspondent)

Overview:

This episode of 20/20's After Show goes behind the scenes of the episode "First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder," exploring the shocking murder of Leslie Prear in an affluent Maryland suburb and how the long-unsolved case was eventually cracked after 23 years. Host Debra Roberts is joined by Stephanie Ramos, who made her 20/20 reporting debut investigating the twists, heartbreak, and final justice in the Prear case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Background

• Leslie Prear, a 50-year-old married mother, was found murdered in her Chevy Chase, Maryland home in 2001.
• Her body was discovered in the shower with the water still running—a bizarre, chilling scene.
• The case remained unsolved for 23 years, baffling investigators and devastating her family.

Quote:

“Leslie Prier found murdered in the shower in her home. The shower is still going. And you know, it was just such a bizarre mystery.”
— Debra Roberts [03:01]

2. Reporting the Story: Stephanie Ramos’ Experience

• Ramos discusses shifting from daily news to a two-hour investigative piece, allowing for deep storytelling and significant time spent interviewing those most affected:

  “This is actually something that I had wanted to do for quite some time…sit down for these interviews and spend some time with the individuals that are really sharing their life story.”
  — Stephanie Ramos [01:57]

• Ramos emphasizes the dedication of the 20/20 investigative team and the emotional depth of reporting on such a profound loss.

3. Family in the Spotlight—Lauren Prear’s Ordeal

• Leslie’s only daughter, Lauren Prear, was 23 at the time and extremely close to her mother.
• Early in the investigation, police—like in many cases—looked closely at the husband, Sandy Prear. Lauren powerfully defended her father despite police pressure.

Quote:

“She told us that it crossed her mind that perhaps her father may have had something to do with it, but...she did not think about that for long. She said her parents loved one another...she was confident that her dad would never do this to her mom.”
— Stephanie Ramos [04:45]

• Emotional Moment: Lauren’s recollection of learning about her mother’s death:

  "I looked out the window, and I saw a police car pull up, and I saw my dad...He goes, she's no longer with us anymore. I was like, what?...I screamed. Like, scream. Screamed. Like what you hear on, like, the horror movies. I get deep down into your stomach, scream. And I said, I don't understand."
  — Lauren Prear [06:13]

• The impact on Lauren’s life was profound and long-lasting, marked by trauma and unresolved grief for decades.

4. The Wrongful Suspicion of Sandy Prear

• Police were suspicious of Sandy’s alibi (he claimed to be out buying a camera battery), but DNA under Leslie's fingernails did not match him.
• The shadow of suspicion hung over him until his death in 2017.

5. The Breakthrough—Detective Work & DNA (2022)

• In 2022, Detectives Tara Augustin and Allison DuBois reopened the cold case, utilizing advances in genetic genealogy.
• DNA evidence was traced to a distant relative in Romania, ultimately leading to Eugene Glegor—Lauren’s high school ex-boyfriend.

Quote:

"They had also worked with genetic genealogy in the past. They had taken some courses...They realize we have the tools where we can figure out who did this."
— Stephanie Ramos [11:09]

6. The Stunning Suspect—An Ex-Boyfriend

• Glegor was welcomed into the Prear family in his youth, often joining them for dinners and vacations.

• He was eventually linked to the crime after investigators collected his DNA from a water bottle in a sting operation.

• Interrogation Clip:

  “I don't know how to answer and go 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.”
  — Eugene Glegor [13:35]
  “There’s no tears coming out of your face.”
  — Detective [13:51]
  “I'm very dry right now...You want me to drink water so I can tear?”
  — Eugene Glegor [14:02]

• Glegor initially denied wrongdoing, later claiming in court that drugs and alcohol erased his memory of that night.

7. The Crime & Its Circumstances

• Police believe Glegor entered the house, familiar from his relationship with Lauren, intending to steal and was surprised by Leslie.
• Under alleged influence, he killed Leslie in a fit of panic and rage.
• He was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

8. The Lasting Impact on the Family

• Sandy Prear died with suspicion never fully erased.
• Lauren has to live with the reality that her former boyfriend killed her mother.
• Ongoing questions of “why” linger, with no true closure for the family.

Quote:

“She just wanted to know why. And that's the one question she will probably never, never get an answer to.”
— Stephanie Ramos [18:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Debra Roberts | “Leslie Prier found murdered in the shower…such a bizarre mystery.” | | 04:45 | Stephanie Ramos | “She told us…perhaps her father may have had something to do with it, but…she did not think about that for long…” | | 06:13 | Lauren Prear (clip) | “…He goes, she's no longer with us anymore. I was like, what?...I screamed. Like what you hear on…horror movies…” | | 11:09 | Stephanie Ramos | “They realize we have the tools where we can figure out who did this.” | | 13:35 | Eugene Glegor (clip) | “I don't want to incriminate myself with questions. You guys are professionals. I'm not…I need an attorney.” | | 14:51 | Stephanie Ramos | “…he starts to say, I didn't do it. I did. I didn't do this. But it took some time, which is odd.” | | 18:47 | Stephanie Ramos | “She just wanted to know why. And that's the one question she will probably never, never get an answer to.” |

Important Timestamps/Segments

• [01:57] Stephanie Ramos discusses deep-dive reporting.
• [04:45] Lauren's defense of her father; investigators’ suspicions.
• [06:13] Emotional clip: Lauren recounts learning of her mother’s death.
• [11:09] Introduction of Detectives Augustin and DuBois; advances in genetic genealogy.
• [13:35] Interrogation room moment; Glegor’s evasive responses.
• [15:06] Glegor’s history with the Prear family and his courtroom defense.
• [17:33] The impact on Lauren and her late father, Sandy.

Episode Tone & Language

Sympathetic, inquisitive, and respectful of the victim and the family’s ordeal. The discussion is earnest, with a focus on justice, technological advances in crime-solving, and the personal toll on those left behind.

Conclusion

This After Show provides both a human and investigative lens to a haunting cold case, highlighting law enforcement’s persistence, advancements in forensic science, and the resilience of a family shattered by loss—and ultimately by betrayal from within their own circle.

Listen to "First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder" on Hulu, Disney+, or your favorite podcast platform for the full 20/20 investigative report.