An American University professor was found killed in her Bethesda home Monday, and officers are looking for her missing sports utility vehicle, Montgomery County police said.
Shortly before 11 a.m., a friend found the body of Sue Ann Marcum on the lower level of the single-family home in the 6200 block of Massachusetts Avenue and called police. Police said Marcum had suffered trauma to the body, but they would not be more specific.
The preliminary investigation revealed signs of forced entry and of a struggle, police said.
Marcum lived alone, though Montgomery County Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said someone reported speaking with her Sunday evening.
Police determined that Marcum’s 1999 Jeep Cherokee was missing. The vehicle is gold or tan with Virginia tags YXE 1456.
Marcum was a professor of the university’s Kogod School of Business, where she had taught accounting since 1999, according to school officials.
Former student Emily Stovicek said she went to Marcum last year frantically looking for an internship and ended up finding a mentor who helped her get her first job at the accounting firm Berlin Ramos in Rockville. It was the same place Marcum started her career.
“She brought so much energy and life to something that could be so boring and made it more meaningful,” Stovicek said. “She helped a lot of people want to learn accounting. She made it so enjoyable.”
Before each class, Marcum turned out the lights and had the students perform breathing exercises for two minutes to clear their minds, Stovicek said.
“It’s completely different learning style. She was so hands-on and cared so much about her students,” Stovicek said. “I don’t know one student who ever had anything bad to say.”
Anyone who saw or heard anything unusual at or near Marcum’s residence or anyone who has any information about the vehicle is asked to call the police at 240-773-5070. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000.
26411454 contentBio DC www.washingtonexaminer.com /local/crime/ 10/25/10 20:00:00 PM
