“The Professor & The Poet”: Dateline Reports on Sue Marcum Homicide March 6 2026

Dateline NBC returns on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a report titled “The Professor & The Poet.” Veteran correspondent Josh Mankiewicz leads the broadcast, which examines the murder of Sue Ann Marcum and the investigation that unfolded after she was found dead in her Bethesda, Maryland home in 2010. The episode explores the relationships surrounding Marcum’s life, the evidence discovered at the scene, and the long effort by investigators to locate and prosecute the man they believed responsible.

The case drew attention because of the complex personal and financial ties between Marcum and the suspect, as well as the length of time it took for authorities to bring the case to trial. More than a decade passed between the killing and the arrest of the suspect in Mexico, and the case later moved through a Maryland courtroom where jurors examined competing explanations for the crime.

• Who Was Sue Marcum & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile
• Who Is Jorge Rueda Landeros & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Profile

The Life And Career Of Sue Ann Marcum

Sue Ann Marcum was an accounting professor at American University in Washington, D.C. Friends and colleagues described her as energetic and committed to both her work and her personal interests. She spent time traveling, volunteering in the community, practicing yoga, and studying Spanish.

Family members said Marcum had a unique way of connecting with students in the classroom. Her brother, Alan Marcum, later recalled how she used humor and creative examples to make accounting understandable. He said she once referenced her experience working with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, even using a red clown nose during a lesson to explain accounting concepts.

The Discovery Inside The Bethesda Home

On October 25, 2010, Marcum was found dead inside her home in Bethesda, Maryland. Authorities were called after a friend discovered her body. Investigators reported that she was located at the bottom of the basement stairs.

Detectives examining the home found evidence that suggested a disturbance had occurred. Rooms appeared ransacked, a screen at the back of the house had been cut, and Marcum’s Jeep was missing. At first glance, the scene resembled a burglary, but investigators continued examining the evidence to determine whether the scene reflected what actually happened.

The Relationship With Jorge Rueda Landeros

During the investigation, authorities focused on Jorge Rueda Landeros, a Spanish language and yoga instructor whom Marcum had met in Washington in 2005. According to investigators, the two developed a personal relationship that later ended.

Prosecutors said the relationship also involved financial dealings. Marcum reportedly entrusted Landeros with large sums of money to invest. Authorities later said more than $300,000 of Marcum’s funds had been lost, leaving her under financial pressure as she attempted to cover debts and other expenses.

Evidence That Pointed Investigators Toward A Suspect

Investigators discovered documents in Marcum’s office that drew attention to Landeros. Among the items was a life insurance policy that listed him as the beneficiary. Authorities also said there was a reciprocal arrangement in which Marcum was named as the beneficiary of a policy connected to Landeros.

Forensic evidence later became a key part of the case. Prosecutors said DNA linked Landeros to the crime scene, including DNA recovered from Marcum’s fingernails and from a tequila bottle that authorities said was used in the attack. Prosecutors argued that Marcum fought her attacker and that the scene was later staged to resemble a burglary.

The Disappearance And A Decade-Long Manhunt

After investigators linked Landeros to the case, authorities learned he had left the United States. Detectives determined that he had traveled to Mexico, and for years the case remained unresolved while investigators attempted to track his whereabouts.

More than a decade later, investigators identified an online trail that led them to a man using the name Leon Ferrara in Guadalajara. Authorities concluded that the identity belonged to Landeros. On December 13, 2022, Mexican agents arrested him while he was walking his dogs, and he was later extradited to Maryland to face murder charges.

The Trial And The Jury’s Verdict

Landeros was charged with first-degree and second-degree murder in connection with Marcum’s death. During the trial, he pleaded not guilty, and the defense argued that the killing may have been the result of a burglary rather than an attack by him.

In October 2025, a jury reached its verdict. Jurors found Landeros not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of second-degree murder. The verdict meant that prosecutors had proven he was responsible for Marcum’s death but had not established premeditation required for the higher charge.

Sentencing And The Outcome Of The Case

In March 2026, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Rachel McGuckian sentenced Landeros to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder. Under Maryland law, the maximum penalty for that offense is 30 years. The judge noted that Landeros had no prior criminal record when explaining the sentence.

Family members and friends spoke during the sentencing hearing about the loss Marcum’s death caused. Her brother described how her absence had been felt by family, colleagues, and students. The sentence marked the conclusion of a case that began with a murder in 2010 and ended more than fifteen years later with a conviction and prison term.