Man suspected of killing Baltimore tech CEO urged to surrender by his mother – live
A manhunt has been launched to catch an “extremely dangerous” suspect wanted on suspicion of the murder of a successful 26-year-old tech executive.
Pava LaPere, the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies who was featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list this year, was found brutally murdered in her apartment on West Franklin Street in Baltimore on Monday. Baltimore Police said that she had suffered blunt-force trauma.
Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, is now wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery.
It is not clear what connection – if any – the victim and suspect may have to each other.
Billingsley’s mother pleaded for her son to turn himself in.
“I told him to turn himself in because they’re going to kill him,” Scarlett Billingsley told NBC News in an exclusive interview.
Billingsley has prior convictions for assault and sex offences and is said to be “armed and dangerous”.
“This individual will kill and he will rape. He will do anything he can to cause harm. So, please be aware of your surroundings,” Baltimore Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Key Points
Armed suspect on run after ‘30 Under 30’ tech CEO murdered in Baltimore apartment
A pioneering tech CEO, brutal murder and missing suspect: What happened to Pava LaPere?
09:50 , Andrea Blanco
At just 26 years old, Pava LaPere had accomplished her lifelong dream of becoming her own boss.
It came with arduous effort, but years after launching her thriving software company from her dorm at Johns Hopkins University, the young entrepreneur was featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list for the social impact she was making on the industry.
Months after landing on the prestigious list, LaPere made international headlines as she was found dead at her apartment in Baltimore on 25 September.
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old repeat offender who was released on parole following violent sex convictions, has been named as a suspect in her murder.
Billingsley was wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery.
The Independent reports:
A shining tech CEO, brutal murder and missing suspect: What happened to Pava LaPere?
What we know about suspect in murder of tech CEO
09:20 , Andrea Blanco
A convicted sex offender sought in the brutal murder of a Baltimore tech CEO is also suspected of an attempted murder just a week earlier.
A manhunt is underway for Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, after he was linked to the murder of 26-year-old Pava LaPere, the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies. LaPere’s partially clothed body was found with evident signs of blunt force trauma on the roof of her apartment building on Monday, The Baltimore Banner reports.
Billingsley was wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery. Baltimore police revealed during a press conference on Tuesday that the suspect is a convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal history.
FULL STORY: Suspect wanted for murder of ‘30 Under 30’ Baltimore tech CEO arrested after two days on run
08:50 , Rachel Sharp
The convicted sex offender wanted on suspicion of the murder of a “30 Under 30” tech executive has been arrested after two days on the run, according to multiple reports.
Sources confirmed to local outlets CBS Baltimore and Fox45News that Jason Billingsley, 32, was taken into custody on Wednesday night in connection to the brutal murder of Pava LaPere.
The 32-year-old accused killer – who is also suspected of an attempted murder just one week prior to LaPere’s violent death – was captured just after 11.10pm at the MARC train station on Laurel-Bowie Road in Bowie, Maryland, Fox45 reported.
Read the full story here:
Suspect wanted for murder of ‘30 Under 30’ Baltimore tech CEO arrested
BREAKING: Jason Billingsley arrested for tech exec's murder
08:18 , Rachel Sharp
The convicted sex offender wanted on suspicion of the murder of a “30 Under 30” tech executive has been arrested after two days on the run, according to multiple reports.
Sources confirmed to local outlets CBS Baltmore and Fox45 News that Jason Billingsley, 32, had been taken into custody on Wednesday night for the brutal murder of Pava LaPere.
The 32-year-old accused killer – who is also suspected of an attempted murder just one week earlier – was captured just after 11.10pm at the MARC train station on Laurel-Bowie Road in Bowie, Maryland, Fox45 reported.
Baltimore Police have also revealed plans to hold a press conference to “announce arrest of murder suspect Jason Billingsley” at 11am ET on Thursday, local outlet WBAL-TV reported.
Billingsley was named as the prime suspect in the murder of 26-year-old LaPere after her partially clothed body was found with evident signs of blunt force trauma on the roof of her apartment building on Monday.
Police confirm Billingsley linked to attempted murder days before LaPere’s body was found
08:00 , Andrea Blanco
Baltimore police confirmed on Wednesday that Jason Billingsley has also been linked to an attempted murder, arson and rape on 19 September in the 800 block of Edmondson Avenue — just a 15-minute walk from Pava LaPere’s building.
A $6,000 reward is being offered for information regarding Billingsley’s whereabouts.
“Additionally, detectives are now reviewing all cases since [his release in] October, 2022, to the present day in order to determine any other connections,” the department told The Independent in a statement.
Jason Billingsley’s mother begs him to turn himself in for murder of Baltimore tech CEO
06:30 , Andrea Blanco
Billingsley, who is considered “armed” and “dangerous,” faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery.
Now, his mother has issued a desperate plea for him to turn himself in.
“I told him to turn himself in because they’re going to kill him,” 72-year-old Scarlett Billingsley told NBC. “I don’t want police to shoot him because they think he has a gun.”
Read more:
Mother of suspect in Baltimore tech CEO’s murder begs him to surrender
Jason Billingsley’s lenghty criminal history
05:00 , Andrea Blanco
Billingsley was previously arrested in 2009, 2011 and 2013 on multiple charges including sex offences, second-degree assault and robbery.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and was given two years of supervised probation. He violated the terms of his parole and was convicted of second-degree assault in 2011, court records show.
Billingsley served two years over the 2011 conviction and just months after being released in 2013, he was arrested again on attempted rape charges
In 2015, Mr Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended and five years of supervised probation, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offence. He was released from prison last October on “good-time” credits under former District Attorney Marilyn Mosby, the Baltimore Banner reported.
According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, inmates convicted of a violent crime are awarded good conduct credits at the rate of five days per month served.
WATCH: Police search for suspect in murder of Baltimore tech CEO
03:30 , Andrea Blanco
The life of a thriving CEO who was featured in Forbes’ ‘30 under 30’ list for 2023 was cut short under mysterious circumstances.
Baltimore authorities are now hunting for her killer.
Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, is now wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery.
It is not clear what connection – if any – the victim and suspect may have to each other.
Who was Pava LaPere?
02:00 , Andrea Blanco
Mayor Scott described LaPere as a talented and motivated Baltimorian who always went out of her way to help others.
“It’s really difficult to express the sorrow that I have standing before you today,” he said. “Pava was ... someone I had the opportunity to get to know over the last few years and she would help anyone that she could. And to have that life cut short by someone who has no care about anything but causing harm to people is something that should sit deep in the stomach of all Baltimorians tonight.”
LaPere graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a dual bachelor’s degree in arts and sociology and entrepreneurship and management. She founded her company when she was still at university.
EcoMaps Technologies, according to its website, is a custom platform builder for companies. Forbes reported on LaPere’s “30 under 30” feature that the company with a team of nearly 30 employees had raised over $4m and had big-name clients including Meta and the T.Rowe Price Foundation.
‘She was a force to be reckoned with’
Thursday 28 September 2023 00:30 , Andrea Blanco
As Baltimore police and the US Marshal’s Service hunt for Billingsley, who is considered “armed and dangerous,” an entire community continues to grapple with LaPere’s death. Karina Mandell, a friend and colleague of LaPere, told The Independent on Wednesday that the tragic loss will have ripple effects in the city that LaPere breathed and loved and worked every day to improve.
“She was a force to be reckoned with. She wanted things to be better, it wasn’t just complaining, she wanted to improve things and challenge the status quo and was unapologetic about it because it was for the right reasons,” Ms Mandell, an entrepreneur herself, said about her friend.
LaPere, originally from Arizona, stayed in Baltimore after graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2019 with a degree in arts and sociology. She launched her startup, a custom platform builder for companies, from her dorm and went on to build it from the ground up.
Who is suspect Jason Billingsley?
Wednesday 27 September 2023 23:07 , Andrea Blanco
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old with prior convictions for assault and sex offences, has been named as a suspect in the tech exec’s murder.
He is now wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery
Billingsley has previous arrests in 2013, 2011 and 2009 on multiple charges including sex offences, second-degree assault and robbery.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011, court records show.
In 2015, Mr Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offence, according to court records.
Suspect in Pava LaPere’s murder is repeat sex offender who ‘should have never been released’
Wednesday 27 September 2023 21:05 , Andrea Blanco
A manhunt is underway for Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, after he was linked to the murder of 26-year-old Pava LaPere, the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies. LaPere’s partially clothed body was found with evident signs of blunt force trauma on the roof of her apartment building on Monday, The Baltimore Banner reports.
Billingsley, who is considered “armed” and “dangerous,” is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery. Baltimore police revealed during a press conference on Tuesday that the suspect is a convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal history.
Billingsley was released on parole last year following a 2015 conviction on a first-degree sex offence. Mayor Brandon Scott, who knew LaPere through her work as an entrepreneur, criticised the early release, saying it should have never happened.
Read more:
Convicted sex offender named suspect in Pava LaPere’s murder
Armed suspect on run after ‘30 Under 30’ tech CEO murdered in Baltimore apartment
Wednesday 27 September 2023 19:26 , Andrea Blanco
An “armed” and “extremely dangerous” suspect is on the run after a successful 26-year-old tech executive was found brutally murdered in her apartment in Baltimore.
Pava LaPere was the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies, a custom platform builder for companies, and had featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list this year for her social impact on the industry.
On Monday, she was found dead from apparent signs of “blunt-force trauma” inside her apartment in the 300 block of West Franklin Street, police said.
Baltimore Police said that a missing persons call had been placed for the victim, leading officers to her home where she was found at around 11.34am that morning.
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old with prior convictions for assault and sex offences, has been named as a suspect in her murder.
Read on:
Armed suspect on run after ‘30 Under 30’ CEO murdered in Baltimore apartment
A pioneering tech CEO, brutal murder and missing suspect: What happened to Pava LaPere?
Wednesday 27 September 2023 18:17 , Andrea Blanco
The life of a thriving CEO who was featured in Forbes’ ‘30 under 30’ list for 2023 was cut short under mysterious circumstances. Baltimore authorities are now hunting for her killer.
The Independent reports:
A shining tech CEO, brutal murder and missing suspect: What happened to Pava LaPere?
Billingley sought in separate case: Report
Wednesday 27 September 2023 17:50 , Andrea Blanco
Detectives are working to determine potential connections to Billingsley and other cases. Commissioner Worley said on Tuesday that Billingsley is wanted in a separate case but did not give details about what type of offence he was suspected of.
A police source told DailyMail.com that Billingsley was being investigated in connection to a sexual assault and arson incident on 19 September. The attack left a woman in critical condition after she was raped and her throat was slashed with a knife, according to the source.
A man was also injured and a minor suffered smoke inhalation during the ordeal. The Independent has reached out to Baltimore police for comment.
“We will find you. So, I would ask you to turn yourself in to any officer, any police station, because we will take you into custody eventually, and then we will turn it over to the state’s attorney to prosecute you to the fullest. So, please turn yourself in,” Commissioner Worley said.
Billingley’s lengthy criminal history
Wednesday 27 September 2023 17:20 , Andrea Blanco
Billingsley was previously arrested in 2009, 2011 and 2013 on multiple charges including sex offences, second-degree assault and robbery.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011, court records show.
In 2015, Mr Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offence, according to court records.
However, the Maryland sex offender registry shows that he was released from prison last October under former District Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
He was released on good-time credits, the Baltimore Banner reports.
‘She would help anyone she could'
Wednesday 27 September 2023 16:55 , Andrea Blanco
Mayor Brandon Scott described LaPere as a talented and motivated Baltimorian who always went out of her way to help others.
“It’s really difficult to express the sorrow that I have standing before you today,” Mr Scott said. “Pava was ... someone I had the opportunity to get to know over the last few years and she would help anyone that she could. And to have that life cut short by someone who has no care about anything but causing harm to people is something that should sit deep in the stomach of all Baltimorians tonight.”
LaPere graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a dual bachelor’s degree in arts and sociology and entrepreneurship and management. She founded her company when she was still at university.
Pava LaPere had made her dream of ‘being her own boss’ come true
Wednesday 27 September 2023 16:31 , Andrea Blanco
In a 2017 piece for the university’s website, LePore wrote about passing on stable internships in order to devote her time and energy to her startup.
A then-20-year-old Lepore described her strict schedule and how she divided her summer between doing freelance work and developing her own projects.
“Choosing to be my own boss meant forgoing fancy internships, an experience in a new city, and probably much larger summer earnings,” she wrote. “But it also meant that I got giant blocks of uninterrupted time to work on my ventures, which is much more valuable currency for an entrepreneur.”
LaPere’s body was found on roof of apartment building: Report
Wednesday 27 September 2023 15:54 , Andrea Blanco
Baltimore police said that a missing persons call was placed for LaPere, the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies, just hours before her body was found.
Her remains were discovered by officers at around 11.34am on Monday. It was initially reported that she was found inside her apartment, but a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case has since told The Baltimore Banner that the body was actually found on the roof of her apartment building on the 300 block of West Franklin Street.
LaPere was partially clothed and had signs of blunt-force trauma.
EcoMap Technologies releases statement on murder of CEO
Wednesday 27 September 2023 15:30 , Rachel Sharp
EcoMap Technologies has released a statement about the loss of their CEO.
“The circumstances surrounding Pava’s death are deeply distressing, and our deepest condolences are with her family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly devastating time,” the statement read.
“Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader.”
Who is the victim Pava LaPere?
Wednesday 27 September 2023 15:10 , Rachel Sharp
Pava LaPere was the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies, a custom platform builder for companies, and had featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list this year for her social impact on the industry.
Just hours before her murder, LaPere’s company EcoMap Technologies had announced that she would appear as a speaker at a forum in Pennsylvania next week.
LaPere’s family released a statement paying tribute to the slain tech CEO following her death.
“She was driven, creative, hard-working and relentless in her efforts, with her wonderful team at EcoMap Technologies,” her family said.
“Pava made an impact in every endeavour she undertook and on every life she touched. She will be forever missed as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and loyal friend.”
Who is suspect Jason Billingsley?
Wednesday 27 September 2023 14:50 , Rachel Sharp
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old with prior convictions for assault and sex offences, has been named as a suspect in the tech exec’s murder.
He is now wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree assault, sex offence and robbery
Billingsley has previous arrests in 2013, 2011 and 2009 on multiple charges including sex offences, second-degree assault and robbery.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011, court records show.
In 2015, Mr Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offence, according to court records.
FULL STORY: Armed suspect on run after ‘30 Under 30’ tech CEO murdered in Baltimore apartment
Wednesday 27 September 2023 14:35 , Rachel Sharp
An “armed” and “extremely dangerous” suspect is on the run after a successful 26-year-old tech executive was found brutally murdered in her apartment in Baltimore.
Pava LaPere was the founder and CEO of EcoMaps Technologies, a custom platform builder for companies, and had featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list this year for her social impact on the industry.
On Monday, she was found dead from apparent signs of “blunt-force trauma” inside her apartment in the 300 block of West Franklin Street, police said.
Baltimore Police said that a missing persons call had been placed for the victim, leading officers to her home where she was found at around 11.34am that morning.
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old with prior convictions for assault and sex offences, has been named as a suspect in her murder.
Read on...
Armed suspect on run after ‘30 Under 30’ CEO murdered in Baltimore apartment
Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog
Wednesday 27 September 2023 14:30 , Rachel Sharp
Follow updates in the investigation into the murder of Pava LaPere and the manhunt for suspect Jason Billingsley
