ABC 20/20 “First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder” September 12 2025

On Friday, September 12, 2025, 20/20 will air a chilling new two-hour episode titled First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, beginning at 9:01 p.m. EDT on ABC. The episode, reported by correspondent Stephanie Ramos, unravels a decades-old cold case that was finally solved through a surprising DNA breakthrough at a Washington, D.C.–area airport.

The story centers on the brutal murder of Leslie Preer, a beloved wife and mother living in an upscale D.C. suburb. When Leslie failed to arrive at work, both her husband and her boss went to her home — only to walk into a horrifying crime scene. Police were called immediately, and investigators began piecing together what happened.

In the early stages of the investigation, suspicion fell on Leslie’s husband. But forensic testing soon revealed DNA under Leslie’s fingernails — belonging to an unidentified man. With no immediate matches and no solid leads, the case went cold for nearly 25 years.

Everything changed when law enforcement collected DNA from a suspect at a local airport years later, and it matched the sample from Leslie’s crime scene. The shocking discovery pointed directly to a killer who had evaded justice for decades.

The episode features exclusive interviews with those closest to the case, including law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to find the truth. Ramos takes viewers inside the investigation, the emotional aftermath, and the final quest for justice that brought answers to Leslie’s loved ones at last.

First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder airs Friday, September 12 on ABC and will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.