Man Charged in Md. Murder

Montgomery County Police have charged a 40-year old homeless man with the murder of Laura B. Houghteling '91, who disappeared from her Bethesda, Md., home on October 19.

Hadden I. Clark, who worked as a part-time gardener for the Houghtelings, was arrested Friday in Bethesda after police found his fingerprint on a pillowcase belonging to Houghteling.

The pillowcase, stained with blood matching Houghteling's type, was found in a wooded area near her home four days after she disappeared.

The fingerprint on the pillowcase was identified Friday as Clark's when investigators examined an enhanced photograph of the print.

Clark, who was often inside the Houghteling home during his weekly four-hour gardening shifts, was questioned in October when police were told that he lived on a campsite in the woods where Houghteling's pillow and pillowcase were found.

At that time, police searched the campsite and Clark's pickup truck but found no evidence to connect him with Houghteling's disappearance.

Houghteling's family, which was informed of the arrest Saturday, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Criminal Record

Clark, a Navy veteran, has a criminal record which includes convictions for stealing and battery. He has also been charged with possession of an illegal drug and for being a vagabond.

Houghteling, who was 23, concentrated in history and lived in Leverett House. She also founded the Leverett House Women's Group.

This story was written with dispatches from The Washington Post.