Police Believe Workplace Dispute Led To Potomac Murder-Suicide

Andrew Racca, via LinkedInMontgomery County Police believe allegations of theft at a Bethesda office led to a murder-suicide on Tuesday in a quiet residential area of Potomac.

Police said they believe Chevy Chase resident Andrew Racca killed Carolyn Mattingly — the wife of Racca’s boss at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Bethesda — in her home before killing himself.

Investigators found that some type of dispute arose between Racca and Richard Mattingly on Monday, when the foundation’s management told Racca he was suspected of workplace theft and that the foundation would have to report that theft to the police.

Police say Racca didn’t come to work on Tuesday.

At 1:13 p.m. on Tuesday, police said they received a call from Carolyn Mattingly at the couple’s home in the 12000 block of Great Elm Drive in Potomac. Police responded and found slashed tires on one of the vehicles. Richard Mattingly was at work.

Police said officers documented the vandalism, then left the scene.

At about 2:33 p.m., police received a call for a single-car collision with a tree on nearby Piney Meetinghouse Road at River Road. The driver, pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as 42-year-old Racca. Police said a handgun was located in the vehicle.

At about 2:34 p.m., MCFRS received a call for a fire in the Mattingly home on Great Elm Drive.

Firefighters and 1st District officers found a small fire in the garage, where they discovered a dead body they presume to be Carolyn Mattingly. Police said there is no known relationship between Racca and Carolyn Mattingly.

Investigators believe Racca killed Mattingly, then himself at the scene of his car collision. They still must confirm Carolyn Mattingly’s body was found at the home and the cause of death with a determination from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The case remains under investigation. Police asked for anyone with information about the series of incidents to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers can remain anonymous.

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