A Washington, D.C., man accused of killing his neighbor more than two decades ago has been released from jail while awaiting trial.
George Mudd, 72, faces first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder charges in connection with the May 21, 1999, death of 24-year-old Susan Cvengros. Cvengros was found dead inside her apartment on F Street NE after suffering multiple stab wounds.
The case remained unsolved for years before investigators linked Mudd to evidence collected during the original investigation. D.C. police announced his arrest in July 2025, saying he was taken into custody on an arrest warrant in connection with Cvengros’ death.
Judge approves release because of health concerns
Mudd had remained in custody following his arrest, but his defense later sought his release, pointing to several ongoing health problems. Prosecutors did not oppose the request as long as conditions were imposed to address concerns about his medical care and the safety of the community.
On Sept. 11, D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted the request. Mudd was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device and live at a senior residential facility while his case continues.
The judge also noted that Mudd had remained in the community for about 26 years between the alleged killing and his arrest without a new incident of the same nature being reported during that period.
The decision has drawn an emotional response from Cvengros’ family. Her cousin, Sarah Powers, described Mudd’s release as frightening and said the family had spent years waiting for answers about what happened to Cvengros.
DNA evidence brought the cold case back into focus
According to investigators and court records, DNA evidence became a central part of the case against Mudd. Police had obtained his DNA in connection with an earlier criminal case, which later allowed investigators to compare it with evidence from Cvengros’ case.
Authorities said the DNA connection was identified years before Mudd was arrested, but the case did not move forward immediately. Earlier reporting said investigators had difficulty locating a DNA data file associated with the case before it was eventually recovered.
A judge later found probable cause connecting Mudd to Cvengros’ death, citing the DNA evidence along with other circumstances presented during the hearing. Mudd has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Court records also show that Mudd previously faced criminal charges involving another woman. Prosecutors have pointed to those earlier cases during arguments in the Cvengros matter, while the defense has challenged the strength of the evidence against him.
Trial remains ahead
Mudd’s release does not resolve the murder case. He remains charged and will face the allegations in court.
His case has continued through several hearings, including a change in defense counsel earlier this year. A June court proceeding resulted in Jessica Willis being appointed to represent Mudd after he requested a new attorney.
The murder trial is currently scheduled for October 2027. The case is expected to return to court for additional proceedings before then.
For Cvengros’ family, the case has stretched across more than 27 years, from her death in 1999 to the arrest and subsequent court proceedings involving Mudd. The latest development means the long-running case will now continue with the accused defendant outside jail but under court-ordered monitoring.
Mudd remains presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
