The 26-year-old CEO of a Baltimore tech startup was found dead at her apartment after being reported missing. Pava LaPere suffered from blunt force trauma, as per the police. As per public records, LaPere was living at the apartment complex where her body was found.
Earlier this year, LaPere featured in the ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ list for social impact.
Police officials said that the 32-year-old suspect in the case, Jason Billingsley, was paroled last October in an earlier sex assault case. As per court records, Billingsley pleaded guilty to first-degree sex assault in 2015. Officials said they have no reason to believe LaPere knew Billingsley.
Suspect arrested
The authorities have now arrested Billingsley after a major manhunt, a US Marshal has confirmed, as per NBC news. Deputy US Marshal Albert Maresca Jr confirmed that Billingsley was apprehended at a train station in Bowie, Maryland.
An arrest warrant was issued for Billingsley for first-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment and other unspecified charges. Billingsley was reported already wanted in connection with unrelated attempted murder and rape earlier this month.
Earlier, Baltimore Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley asked people to give authorities any information they had on the suspect. “This individual will kill and he will rape. He will do anything he can to cause harm,” Worley said.
Pava LaPere
The 26-year-old entrepreneur founded EcoMap Technologies in 2019. Their clients include Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and T. Rowe Price Foundation.
LaPere was described by her colleagues as “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,” EcoMap staff wrote.
(With Agency inputs)