The Mystery of the Dupont Circle Murder

The Dupont Circle Murder, as it has come to be known, is a case that has puzzled investigators, journalists, and the public alike. The victim, Robert Eric Wone, was a respected lawyer with a promising future. His life was tragically cut short on the night of August 2, 2006, in a crime that remains unsolved to this day.

Robert was staying overnight at a townhouse in the prestigious Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The property was owned by his friend, Joseph Price, and Price's domestic partner, Victor Zaborsky. They lived there with a third man, Dylan Ward, in what has been described as a polyamorous relationship. The circumstances of Robert's death were unusual and disturbing. He was found fatally stabbed, but there was very little blood at the crime scene, leading to speculation and mystery.

The three men in the house at the time of the murder were charged in connection with the crime, but not for the murder itself. This has led to a lingering sense of injustice and a thirst for answers that remain elusive. The Dupont Circle Murder is more than just a crime story. It's a narrative that involves issues of class, sexuality, and the workings of the justice system. It's a tale of a life cut short and a killer—or killers—who remain unpunished. As we delve into the details of the case, we invite you to join us in exploring this complex and chilling piece of Washington, D.C.'s history.

The Night of the Murder

On the night of August 2, 2006, Robert Eric Wone, a 32-year-old lawyer, arrived at the townhouse of his friend, Joseph Price, in the upscale Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The townhouse was also home to Price's partner, Victor Zaborsky, and their roommate, Dylan Ward. Robert had planned to spend the night there after working late at his office, a common practice given the townhouse's close proximity to his workplace.

The evening began ordinarily enough. Robert arrived at the townhouse at approximately 10:30 p.m. What transpired over the next hour and a half, however, would result in a gruesome crime scene and a mystery that continues to baffle investigators to this day. Just over an hour after Robert's arrival, at approximately 11:49 p.m., a call was made to 911 from the townhouse. The caller, identified as Zaborsky, reported that an intruder had broken into their home and that their guest, Robert, had been stabbed in the chest. The police arrived within minutes to find a scene that raised more questions than it answered.

Robert was found lying on a pull-out bed in a guest room, lifeless, with three stab wounds to his chest. Despite the severity of his injuries, there was a conspicuous lack of blood at the scene. His body was also strangely clean and appeared to have been showered and redressed in a clean, white shirt. The knife from the kitchen set, believed to be the murder weapon, was found next to the bed, wiped clean of fingerprints.

The three occupants of the house, Price, Zaborsky, and Ward, were found unharmed. They claimed to have been upstairs at the time of the attack and did not see the intruder. However, their calm demeanor and the lack of evidence of a break-in raised suspicions among the responding officers. The events of that night have been the subject of much speculation and scrutiny. The timeline of events, the behavior of the three men, and the puzzling state of the crime scene have all been points of contention in the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. The question remains: what exactly happened in the Dupont Circle townhouse on the night of August 2, 2006?

The Investigation Begins

In the immediate aftermath of Robert Wone's death, the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation that would prove to be as complex as it was frustrating. The initial crime scene presented a puzzling tableau: a victim with three precise stab wounds, a conspicuous lack of blood, and three house occupants who claimed to have heard nothing.

The first responders found the behavior of the three men, Price, Zaborsky, and Ward, to be unusually calm given the circumstances. They were cooperative but maintained that they had not seen or heard anything until they discovered Robert's body. The lack of signs of forced entry or struggle in the house further complicated the picture. The knife from the kitchen set, believed to be the murder weapon, was devoid of fingerprints, suggesting it had been wiped clean.

The autopsy report added another layer of mystery to the case. It revealed that Robert had needle puncture marks on his body, suggesting he might have been immobilized before being stabbed. The lack of defensive wounds also indicated that he had not struggled against his attacker. The medical examiner concluded that the circumstances of Robert's death were "unusual and suspicious."

As the investigation progressed, the focus began to shift towards the three men in the house. Their accounts of the night's events were inconsistent and failed to explain the strange circumstances of the crime scene. Despite this, there was not enough evidence to charge any of them with murder. The case took a turn when investigators discovered that the trio had waited for some time before calling 911 after finding Robert's body. This led to charges of obstruction of justice against Price, Zaborsky, and Ward. However, the question of who murdered Robert Wone remained unanswered. The Dupont Circle Murder investigation was marked by a series of twists and turns, with each new piece of evidence adding to the complexity of the case rather than clarifying it. Despite the best efforts of the investigators, the truth of what happened on that fateful night in August 2006 remained elusive.

The Suspects: Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky, and Dylan Ward

The three men at the center of the Dupont Circle Murder investigation were a unique trio. Joseph Price, a prominent lawyer, was a partner at a D.C. law firm. Victor Zaborsky worked in marketing for a milk industry lobby group. Dylan Ward was a trained massage therapist. They were in a polyamorous relationship and lived together in the townhouse where Robert Wone was murdered. Price was a longtime friend of Robert Wone. They had known each other since college and maintained a close friendship. On the night of the murder, Price was the one who found Robert's body and attempted to perform CPR. His calm demeanor and lack of emotional reaction raised eyebrows among the first responders.

Zaborsky was the one who called 911. In the call, he reported an intruder and mentioned that a knife was lying next to Robert's body. His calm and collected demeanor during the call was seen as unusual given the circumstances. Ward was the least known of the three. He had a passion for the culinary arts and was known to have a collection of culinary knives. The knife believed to be the murder weapon was similar to those in Ward's collection. Despite the mounting suspicions and inconsistencies in their stories, none of the three men were charged with murder due to a lack of concrete evidence. They were, however, charged and later acquitted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

The Autopsy Report: A Puzzling Lack of Blood

The autopsy report on Robert Wone's body added another layer of mystery to the case. Despite the three fatal stab wounds to his chest, there was a conspicuous lack of blood at the scene. This led investigators to believe that Robert might have been killed elsewhere and then moved to the guest room, where his body was found. Furthermore, the autopsy revealed needle puncture marks on Robert's body, suggesting that he might have been immobilized before being stabbed. The lack of defensive wounds supported this theory. The medical examiner concluded that the circumstances of Robert's death were "unusual and suspicious."

The Trial: A Verdict Without a Conviction for Murder

The trial of Price, Zaborsky, and Ward was a high-profile event that drew national attention. The prosecution argued that the three men knew more about Robert's death than they were letting on. They pointed to the inconsistencies in their stories, the delay in calling 911, and the unusual circumstances of the crime scene as evidence of their guilt.

However, the defense argued that the prosecution's case was based on speculation and prejudice against the men's polyamorous lifestyle. They pointed out the lack of physical evidence linking the men to the murder. In the end, the judge acquitted the three men of the charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy, citing a lack of evidence. The verdict was a shock to many, especially Robert's family, who had hoped for justice.

Aftermath: Where Are the Suspects Now?

In the years following the trial, the three men have largely disappeared from the public eye. Price continues to practice law, while Zaborsky has moved on from his job in the milk industry. Ward has reportedly left the country and is believed to be living abroad. The case remains open, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department continues to treat it as an unsolved homicide. Robert's family has also established a foundation in his name to honor his memory and continue the search for justice.

Dupont Circle: A Neighborhood Haunted by History

Dupont Circle is one of Washington, D.C.'s most historic and prestigious neighborhoods. However, the murder of Robert Wone has cast a long shadow over the community. The townhouse where the crime took place has become a grim landmark, a reminder of the unsolved mystery that continues to haunt the city. Despite its reputation for affluence and power, Dupont Circle has not been able to shake off the chilling legacy of the murder.

The Legacy of Robert Eric Wone

Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Robert Wone's legacy lives on. He is remembered as a dedicated lawyer, a loving husband, and a loyal friend. His family and friends have worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive and seek justice for his murder. The Robert E. Wone Judicial Clerkship Association was established to provide opportunities for Asian American law students, reflecting Robert's commitment to his community and his profession.

Conclusion: Unanswered Questions and the Ongoing Search for Justice

More than a decade after Robert Wone's murder, the case remains one of Washington, D.C.,'s most notorious unsolved crimes. The questions that surround his death are as haunting as they are unanswered: Who killed Robert Wone and why? How was the crime scene so meticulously staged? And why were the three men in the house that night acquitted despite the suspicious circumstances? The Dupont Circle Murder is a chilling reminder of the fallibility of the justice system and the enduring pain of an unsolved crime. As we continue to search for answers, we honor the memory of Robert Wone and hope that one day, justice will be served.

References

1. "The mystery of Robert Wone's death | US news | The Guardian"

2. "Dupont Circle Murder - Medium"

3. "Murder of Robert Eric Wone - Wikipedia"

4. "Where Are Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky, Dylan Ward Now? - The Cinemaholic"

5. "D.C.'s 15 most haunted locations, mapped - Curbed DC"