Dylan Ward: A Biography

Dylan Ward’s name became nationally recognized in connection with the 2006 murder of Robert Wone, a young attorney found dead in the Washington, D.C., townhouse where Ward lived with two other men, Joseph Price and Victor Zaborsky. Wone’s murder remains unsolved, and Ward’s involvement, along with that of his housemates, has been the subject of intense speculation, legal proceedings, and media scrutiny. This biography delves into Ward’s early life, his relationship with Price and Zaborsky, the events surrounding the Wone case, and the subsequent legal battles that have shaped his public image.

Early Life and Education

Dylan Ward was born in 1970 and grew up in an upper-middle-class family. He was described as intelligent, academically inclined, and artistically gifted. Ward pursued his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University, one of Washington, D.C.’s most prestigious institutions, which connected him to a network of ambitious young professionals.

Ward later attended massage therapy school, developing an interest in holistic and alternative medicine. He also worked as a chef and showed a passion for culinary arts. His diverse interests led him to travel internationally, and he spent time in Thailand studying massage and traditional healing methods. This background contributed to his image as an eclectic and thoughtful individual.

Relationship with Joseph Price and Victor Zaborsky

Dylan Ward’s life became intertwined with that of attorney Joseph Price and his partner, Victor Zaborsky, forming an unusual and close-knit household. Price was a well-known attorney and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, while Zaborsky was a marketing executive. The three men shared a townhouse at 1509 Swann Street NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Ward and Price were reportedly involved in a BDSM relationship, with Price acting as the dominant partner and Ward the submissive. The dynamic among the three men was both complex and unconventional, with Price and Zaborsky in a long-term relationship while Ward maintained a close, romantic relationship with Price as well. This “polyamorous family” arrangement was unusual and attracted attention in the media, especially following the events of the Robert Wone case.

The Robert Wone Case

Robert Wone, a young attorney and close friend of Price, was murdered on August 2, 2006. Wone had planned to spend the night at the Swann Street townhouse after working late and arriving around 10:30 p.m. He was discovered dead in the guest bedroom less than an hour later, having been stabbed three times in the chest.

The circumstances of Wone’s death were mysterious. There were no signs of forced entry, and the house was securely locked. Ward, Price, and Zaborsky claimed that an intruder must have entered the home, killed Wone, and fled unnoticed. However, investigators found inconsistencies in their statements and questioned the plausibility of their account. Autopsy results suggested that Wone had been incapacitated, possibly through the use of a paralytic agent, as he showed no signs of defensive wounds.

Police also discovered evidence of a possible cover-up. The crime scene appeared “too clean” for a spontaneous murder, and there were indications that Wone’s body had been moved or staged after his death. The three men maintained their innocence, claiming they had been asleep at the time of the murder and were unaware of how it occurred.

Legal Proceedings and Acquittal

In 2008, Dylan Ward, Joseph Price, and Victor Zaborsky were charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and tampering with evidence in connection with Wone’s murder. Prosecutors argued that the men knew more than they were admitting and may have been involved in a cover-up to conceal the circumstances of Wone’s death. The charges, however, did not directly accuse any of the men of murder, as there was insufficient evidence to link them conclusively to the killing.

The trial took place in 2010 and attracted significant media attention due to the unusual relationship among the defendants, the bizarre details of the case, and the unresolved questions surrounding Wone’s death. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting that Wone may have been sexually assaulted and that the men had cleaned the crime scene to hide evidence. However, the defense argued that the prosecution’s case was purely circumstantial, with no physical evidence linking Ward, Price, or Zaborsky to the actual murder.

In the end, the judge acquitted all three men of the charges, citing a lack of direct evidence. Although Ward and his housemates were found not guilty, the judge did express doubts about their account, noting that the explanations given were not convincing. The acquittal meant that none of the men faced further criminal charges, but the case remained clouded in suspicion and mystery.

Civil Suit and Aftermath

Following the criminal trial, Wone’s widow, Katherine Wone, filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Ward, Price, and Zaborsky. The suit claimed that they were responsible for Wone’s death and had conspired to cover it up. In 2011, the defendants reached a settlement with Katherine Wone, though the terms were not disclosed. The settlement concluded the legal proceedings, but the case left lingering doubts about what actually happened that night.

Life After the Trial

After the acquittal, Ward sought to maintain a low profile, moving away from Washington, D.C., and avoiding media attention. He continued to pursue his interests in culinary arts and alternative health practices, reportedly moving to Thailand for a time to continue his studies in massage therapy. He has largely remained out of the public eye since the case, and little is known about his current whereabouts or activities.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

The Robert Wone case has been widely discussed in the media and on online forums, where it has gained a reputation as one of the most perplexing unsolved cases in recent history. Ward, along with Price and Zaborsky, has been subject to extensive public scrutiny and speculation. The case has been featured in several true-crime podcasts, documentaries, and books, all of which have attempted to piece together the events of that night.

Public opinion on Ward’s role in the case varies widely. Some believe that he and his housemates were involved in Wone’s death or at least covered up key details. Others argue that the evidence was too circumstantial to draw conclusions and that Ward and the others were victims of overzealous prosecution and sensationalized media coverage. Regardless, the unresolved nature of the case has left an indelible mark on Ward’s public image.

Legacy of the Robert Wone Case

The Robert Wone case remains an unsolved mystery and has highlighted issues related to forensic evidence, legal procedure, and media influence on public perception. For Ward, Price, and Zaborsky, the case brought years of legal battles, scrutiny, and a permanent association with one of D.C.’s most high-profile murders. The case also underscored challenges in prosecuting cases with limited forensic evidence and raised awareness of the limitations of the justice system in achieving closure.

Conclusion

Dylan Ward’s life and legacy are inextricably linked to the events of August 2, 2006, when Robert Wone was found murdered in the home Ward shared with Price and Zaborsky. Despite his acquittal and years of legal resolution, Ward remains a central figure in a case that continues to captivate and perplex. While he has tried to distance himself from the spotlight, the mystery surrounding the case and his involvement will likely remain topics of interest for true-crime enthusiasts and legal scholars for years to come.