Jason Billingsley, the individual accused of the murder of Pava LaPere, a beloved Baltimore tech CEO, has been apprehended by authorities, as confirmed by the Baltimore Police Department.
The tragic incident unfolded when Pava LaPere, 26 years old and the CEO of software startup EcoMap Technologies, was discovered dead in her apartment complex around 11:30 a.m. ET after being reported missing. The cause of her death was determined to be blunt-force trauma.
Subsequently, the police identified Jason Billingsley, aged 32, as the prime suspect in the case and launched a manhunt, considering him armed and dangerous. An arrest warrant on charges of first-degree murder, assault, and reckless endangerment in connection with LaPere’s murder was issued against Billingsley.
Notably, Billingsley has a criminal history dating back to 2009, when he was 18, with convictions for multiple charges, including two assaults and a sex offense. He is also believed to be a rape, attempted murder, and arson case in Baltimore.
Baltimore Community Remembers LaPere
The tragic loss of Pava LaPere, who had received national recognition in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, has deeply affected Baltimore, particularly the tech community, where she was known for her endeavors aimed at societal change.
In the wake of this devastating incident, friends, family, and the community have remembered Pava LaPere as a passionate leader deeply committed to her community. While she was renowned for her entrepreneurial ventures, she also focused on forging meaningful connections and fostering change within the community. At a vigil held to honor her memory, Sherrod Davis, a friend and co-founder of EcoMap Technologies, emotionally recounted Pava LaPere’s dedication to building an inclusive and equitable ecosystem in Baltimore, a city she held dear.
“Baltimore has truly lost one of its brightest lights, and one of its loudest advocates,” Davis expressed at the vigil.
Kory Bailey, an executive with UpSurge Baltimore, served as the emcee for the vigil and described Pava LaPere as a “force of nature” filled with vitality and zest for life.
Frank LaPere, Pava’s father, remembers her as a “stubborn and sly” girl from Tucson, Arizona, who would sneak out to ride her bicycle in the early morning before her parents woke up.