70-Year-Old Man Charged in 1999 Murder Case
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Washington, D.C., police arrested a 70-year-old man on Tuesday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old woman in 1999.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of George Mudd, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed (premeditated), in a news release on Wednesday.
The Context
Susan Cvengros was found suffering from stab wounds at a residence in Northeast Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1999. Police said she was pronounced dead after lifesaving efforts failed.
Investigators determined that DNA found on the victim came from a single source and the profile developed from the samples matched Mudd in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database, according to an affidavit obtained by Newsweek.
The breakthrough highlights how DNA testing can assist in cold-case investigations.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., announced an arrest in connection with the fatal stabbing of Susan Cvengros in 1999.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., announced an arrest in connection with the fatal stabbing of Susan Cvengros in 1999.
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
What To Know
An autopsy report said that Cvengros' cause of death was incised and stab wounds of neck and torso, and the manner of death was a homicide.
DNA samples from a sexual assault kit, the victim's nightgown, a comforter, fingernail clippings and multiple cigarette butts were sent to the FBI for forensic examination. In 2012, the FBI determined that the DNA on swabs from the sexual assault kit were consistent with Mudd.
Multiple samples were sent to DNA analysis company Bode Technology for further testing in 2013 and 2014.
In 2005, Mudd was convicted of assault with intent to commit kidnapping while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and unlawful entry in an unrelated case. During an interview with detectives in 2012, Mudd said the victim in that case was lying and had stabbed herself while high on Ecstasy, according to the affidavit.
Mudd was questioned about Cvengros' death by detectives in 2023. He said he did not recognize the victim or the house where she was killed. He denied ever committing murder or rape.
Newsweek reached out to the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia for comment.
What People Are Saying
MPD Detective Todd Williams, in an affidavit: "Based on the aforementioned facts and circumstances, your affiant submits that there is probable cause to believe that George Mudd committed the sexual assault and murder of Susan Cvengros."
MPD Lieutenant Keith Batton, told WUSA9: "Our technology has grown so much from 1999 to now. It's really grown. So we're able to utilize some of the new technologies to get us to where we're at."
What Happens Next
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 30. Mudd is being held without bond, according to court records.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
19 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Shaolin Temple's Head Monk Faces Criminal Probe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The head monk at a world-famous Buddhist temple in China is under criminal investigation after being accused of embezzlement and fathering children during "improper" relationships with women. Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by multiple agencies, the temple said in a statement published online on Sunday. Shi has previously denied similar allegations and was cleared of those charges during a probe several years ago. Newsweek has attempted to reach out to the abbot through the temple, via a contact form on its website outside of regular working hours, seeking comment on Monday. Why It Matters Shaolin Temple, in Dengfeng in the Henan province, is more than 1,500 years old and is known as the birthplace of Shaolin kung-fu. It attracts almost 7 million visitors each year, according to an article in the China Daily Hong Kong edition last year. Many of those guests are martial arts enthusiasts, while others may be more interested in learning about meditation or Zen Buddhism. The site has become a global brand and has welcomed several celebrities over the years, with NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Shaquille O'Neal among those known to have visited the site. The temple has a number of outreach programs, including official cultural centers in various Western countries such as the United States, and festivals that are held around the world. What To Know Shi, known as Liu Yingcheng before becoming a monk in 1981, once served as a member of China's parliament but became abbot in 1999. He went on to turn the temple into a global brand, founding a travelling troupe of monks who perform kung fu shows across China and internationally. He was first accused of wrongdoing a decade ago, with reports of an investigation taking place in 2015, although the temple denied the allegations made by a former disciple that the abbot had fathered children and embezzled funds. He was later cleared of the charges in 2017. Now, the 59-year-old, who was dubbed the "CEO monk" after reportedly turning the temple into a multimillion-dollar commercial enterprise, is facing renewed accusations. Shi has not yet publicly commented on the new allegations. Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, pictured on August 24, 2006, in Dengfeng of Henan Province, China. Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, pictured on August 24, 2006, in Dengfeng of Henan Province, People Are Saying A translation of the statement issued by the Shaolin Temple Management Office on Sunday read: "Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, was suspected of misappropriating project funds and temple assets; Seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women for a long time and had illegitimate children. It is currently under a multi-departmental joint investigation. The relevant situation will be announced to the public in a timely manner." The state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said on Monday, per Reuters that it approved the revoking of Shi's ordination certificate because his "behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks." What Happens Next? The case is being closely watched in China as news of the probe was the most-read topic on Weibo—the Chinese version of X on Monday morning, according to the BBC. As the investigation continues, updates are expected to be provided.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Mass Brawl in Cincinnati Sparks Outcry: 'Insanity'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mass brawl in Cincinnati, Ohio, has sparked outcry on social media and among local officials and politicians, with one Facebook page calling the fight "insanity." The brawl was posted to social media by a page called Signal 99, a Facebook page that describes itself as "spicy meme page for Cops, Firefighters, Medics and Dispatchers," and which has also voiced support for Republican mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half brother. The page posted several videos of the fight which show people roving the streets violently pushing and shoving individuals to the ground. Newsweek has contacted Cincinnati Police Chief Theresa Theetge, Republican mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, as well as Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval, who is running for reelection, via email for comment outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters The violent nature of the videos, as well as the presence of jeering onlookers, some of whom appear to try to intervene, has attracted significant attention online as well as among city officials. Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys posted to Facebook saying footage of the fight was "incredibly disturbing and horrific." Several comments, below the videos, say the brawl was racially motivated. Newsweek could not confirm this, and it is not clear who or what started the fight. What To Know A police vehicle flashes its lights in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. This photo is unrelated to the brawl. A police vehicle flashes its lights in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. This photo is unrelated to the brawl. Matt Rourke, File/AP Photo The fight, per Signal 99, occurred during the Cincinnati Jazz Fest and a Cincinnati Reds game, resulting in a large crowd downtown. According to the videos posted by Signal 99, the fight broke out downtown on July 25 amid large Friday night crowds. Police Chief Teresa Theetge has said the fight had nothing to do with the Jazz Festival, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. Theetge said in a statement that the fight began after a "verbal altercation." She said: "Our investigative team is working diligently to identify every individual involved in causing harm." Multiple videos posted online of Friday's fight show a large group of young-looking men and women, picking on people seemingly at random and punching, kicking, and throwing them to the ground. Other people are seen trying to intervene to stop the violence. One video shows a man in white trousers and a green shirt get attacked from behind and fall into the road. As he falls it looks, like he hits his head on a parked car. He then gets dragged by the leg into the middle of the road in front of a stationary car. The video shows passersby and onlookers filming on their phones and cheering. Another video shows a middle-aged man getting his head kicked by people in the middle of the road. Mayoral candidate Bowman reposted a video of the brawl put on Facebook by the Hamilton County Republican Party, which captioned the video: "This is why we need to elect Cory Bowman this November." What People Are Saying Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in a statement per the Cincinnati Enquirer: "I am in complete disgust waking up to the viral video many of you have now seen. The behavior displayed is nothing short of cruel and absolutely unacceptable." Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys said on Facebook: "This behavior cannot stand and will not represent our city. Those responsible must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Ohio State Representative Cecil Thomas, a Democrat, told local outlets in a statement that he was "totally embarrassed to see such behavior..." Signal 99 on Facebook: "More and more videos is insanity." What Happens Next An investigation into the individuals involved in the brawl has been launched by the Cincinnati police department. The Cincinnati mayoral election is on November 4, 2025.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Woman Renovating New Home Told To Call Cops Over Chilling Find in Basement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a Michigan-based woman started DIY on her new home, she wasn't expecting to stumble on something that seemed to be right out of a psychological thriller. Aliana decided to get rid of paneled ceiling board in her new basement after some flooding damage, but things took a sinister turn. "When we removed it, the letters fell to the ground as they were trapped on top of the panel," Aliana, who didn't give a surname, told Newsweek. A number of old letters had come out of the ceiling, leaving the new homeowner stunned. "We do not know where the letters came from, or how long they have been up there," she said. Addressed to a few different people, the letters all had a terrifyingly sinister tone. One read: "Dear Mary Gallagher, Don't come out too late in the day or after dark or you still may have a serious accident - X shadow." Pictures of the unusual letters found in the ceiling of the house. Pictures of the unusual letters found in the ceiling of the house. @ While another said: "You better watch yourself because if you don't you'll find yourself in one of many ditches. And if you do - it won't be my fault (get it?)." Shocked by the unnerving nature of the letters. Aliana did some research on the people they were addressed to: "I tried to research the names in the letters," she said. "Most of the people addressed seem to have passed away peacefully. That reassured me somewhat." "I didn't expect such a strong reaction," Alaina said. "Many urged me to contact police, which I hadn't considered at first." Aliana decided to share the strange discovery on TikTok in a video that has now been viewed over 350,000 times since being posted earlier this month, and it gained a lot of attention. In the caption, she shared another theory: "My boyfriend thinks the kids who used to live here back in the '80s or whenever hid these up there as a prank. regardless, it's still weird." Read more Woman renovates fixer-upper house—then realizes what was in the floor Woman renovates fixer-upper house—then realizes what was in the floor Commenting on the find, one viewer said: "Sending good vibes! This would creep me out too." While another wrote: "Take this to the police please." "To us, they read as a bizarre prank from back in the day due to some of the juvenile terminology included in the letters, such as 'Thank you for your cooperation' and that they are signed 'XXX Shadow,'" Aliana said. As viewers urged caution, Aliana spoke with her real estate agent—who also happens to be a police officer. His conclusion? Likely the musings of an unstable individual from years past. Now less alarmed and more reflective, Alaina sees the letters as relics of the house's strange past. "We plan to frame them and hang them in the basement," she said. "They're part of the home's story." In January 2025, a Talker Research survey of 2,000 American adults for College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving revealed some of the more unusual things people had in their homes. From nearly 100,000 sports cards to collections of fingernail clippings, brewery coasters, oil lamps, gnomes, porcelain pigs, Elvis Presley or Princess Diana memorabilia and even taxidermy displays of tigers, the list was long. Despite a large list of found objects, participants said that 34 percent of items people own were non-functional and are things they don't often use or need. With so many things being kept in homes, perhaps it is no surprise that discoveries like these are common. Alaina joins a long list of people who have shared their creepy house discoveries online. From a New Jersey homeowner who stumbled on a "creepy" hidden room to a woman in England who found a locked door in her cottage that sparked lots of theories.
