It was early Thanksgiving morning in 2004, and 23-year-old Christopher Mader had left work bartending at a restaurant in Waldorf to go home.
He never made it.
Just before Mader pulled into his neighborhood, someone shot him. He died instantly, and his car rolled off the road and crashed.
Despite Charles County police investigative efforts and the case’s national exposure — “America’s Most Wanted” has twice aired segments about the investigation — Mader’s murder remains unsolved.
The shooting occurred around 3 a.m., after Mader got off from his job at the Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern and hopped into his Dodge Stratus.
Police said was turning right into the entrance to his Hampshire neighborhood in Waldorf when a bullet crashed through the driver’s-side window. Police said they believe the weapon was a .40-caliber Beretta and fired from someone standing in the median strip or across the street in front of Wade Elementary School.
Detectives continue to seek information about a 911 call connected to the crime. Prince George’s County police received the call shortly after the murder occurred, but after a brief conversation, the call was disconnected. The call taker was unable to obtain the caller’s information, and the number is listed as a pay phone.
The call can be heard at www.ccso.us/media/MaderTape1.MP3 or www.ccso.us/media/MaderTape2.wav.
Police still would like to talk to the caller and said they can offer the person protection if the person is afraid to come forward.
A reward of $60,000 is being offered for information that helps detectives solve this crime. That’s the largest amount offered for a reward in county history, police said.
Anyone who has information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective Kevin Keelan at 301-609-6509 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477). All Crime Solvers callers remain anonymous.
