Police name ex-con suspect in murder of tech CEO, 26, in her Baltimore apartment — and he was freed early on 30-year sentence
A 32-year-old man is wanted for the alleged murder of a tech CEO in Baltimore after she was found dead with blunt-force trauma wounds inside her apartment.
Jason Billingsley is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, assault, and other charges for the alleged murder of Pava LaPere, according to police.
Billingsley has a violent past. He was convicted of a “violent” crime in 2011 and received a 30-year sentence.
But he was cut loose just seven years later on “good-time credits,” the Baltimore Banner reported, citing David R. Blumberg, chairman of the parole commission.
“There’s no way in hell he should have been out on the street,” Democratic Mayor Brandon Scott told Fox News Digital.
“The conviction should be the conviction. And we have to make sure that folks are held accountable in every single way because we are tired of talking about the same people commit the same kind of crimes over and over again,” he added.
“We have to stand up here and talk about someone’s life cut down short by someone who should still be in prison.”
He was also arrested in 2009 and 2013 on charges related to sex offenses, assault, and robbery, according to police. He was convicted of sex offenses in 2015.
He was released on parole in October 2022. It is unclear if he broke parole.
The suspect has been described as a “repeat violent offender,” and is wanted in a separate case.
“He will kill and he will rape,” Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a press conference Tuesday.
Billingsley is considered “armed and dangerous” and locals have been alerted to stay vigilant.
“We implore residents to be aware of your surroundings at all times,” Worley said. “He will do anything he can to cause harm.”
Police have asked Billingsley to “turn yourself in” as “every single police officer in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland, as well as the US Marshals are looking for you.”
“We will find you,” the police commissioner warned.
LePere was found inside her luxury Mount Vernon apartment by police Monday morning shortly after she was reported missing.
Baltimore Police received a second call that led them to her body inside her West Franklin Street apartment. The caller’s identity was not released.
The EcoMap founder was found with blunt-force trauma, according to police.
The medical examiner’s office “took possession of the victim’s body,” police said.
Worley issued a stark warning Tuesday, saying he hoped the suspect was watching the press conference, saying: “Every single police officer in Baltimore and the state of Maryland is out there looking for you. We will find you, and we will prosecute you to the full extent of the law. So please turn yourself in.”
The Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree lived in the former Congress Hotel, which has since been renovated into apartments. One-bedroom apartments go for around $1,500 per month, according to the building’s management company Zahlco.
LaPere started her eco company from her dorm room at Johns Hopkins University. The purpose of her company is to make ecosystems information accessible to everyone along with “powerful technology to digitize ecosystems,” according to the company’s website.
The company released a statement following her death sending its condolences and calling her passing “deeply distressing.”
“Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader. Her untiring commitment to our company, to Baltimore, to amplifying the critical work of ecosystems across the country, and to building a deeply inclusive culture as a leader, friend, and partner set a standard for leadership, and her legacy will live on through the work we continue to do,” it said in a statement, according to CBS News Baltimore.
