Current:Home > InvestTech CEO Pava LaPere Found Dead at 26: Warrant Issued for Suspect's Arrest -WealthMap Solutions
Tech CEO Pava LaPere Found Dead at 26: Warrant Issued for Suspect's Arrest
View
Date:2025-04-15 00:53:58
Authorities are on the hunt for a suspect in connection to the murder of Pava LaPere.
The 26-year-old, who served as CEO of EcoMap Technologies and was featured on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 list, was found dead in her Baltimore apartment with signs of blunt-force trauma on Sept. 25, police confirmed to NBC News.
During a press conference held the following day, authorities announced that they have issued an arrest warrant for Jason Dean Billingsley in connection to her case, stating that the 32-year-old is wanted for first-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment and additional charges.
"This individual will kill, and he will rape," Commissioner Richard Worley said during the press conference. "He will do anything he can to cause harm."
Worley also went on to issue a warning directly to the suspect.
"Every single police officer in Baltimore city and the state of Maryland, as well as the U.S. Marshalls are looking for you," he said. "We will find you, so I will ask you to turn yourself into any officer at a police station because we will take you into custody eventually."
Authorities also shared their belief that Billingsley is "probably armed and dangerous" at this time.
"We ask anyone who may have seen him, knows him or knows his whereabouts," Worley continued, "to contact police immediately by calling 911."
Billingsley was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offense in 2015, per NBC News, who cited court records. He had also pleaded guilty, according to the outlet, to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011.
Shortly after LaPere's passing, her company EcoMap Technologies reflected on their founder's legacy, noting that she "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," their Sept. 26 statement shared to Facebook read, "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."
E! News has reached out to the Baltimore Police Department for additional updates on this case and has not heard back. NBC News was unable to reach Billingsley's public defender for comment.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (58)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
- How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
- Alex Jones keeps Infowars for now after judge rejects The Onion’s winning auction bid
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did
- Jim Carrey Reveals Money Inspired His Return to Acting in Candid Paycheck Confession
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast
Ranking
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast
- Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, an AP
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Social media platform Bluesky nearing 25 million users in continued post
Recommendation
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Joe Burrow’s home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro
Here's how to make the perfect oven
Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
Could your smelly farts help science?
Not sure what to write in your holiday card? These tips can help: Video tutorial
Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
When does the new season of 'Virgin River' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch