Tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere was murdered by Jason Billingsley who should never have been allowed out on the streets following his extensive criminal record which dates back to 2009
Pava LaPere was a young tech entrepreneur who had caught the attention of the business world – and a compassionate woman who wanted to make a difference in her community. Pava, 26, grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and studied at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University. In 2018, when she was just 21, she co-founded EcoMap Technologies – a tech start-up company to help businesses find opportunities for growth through AI tools. The idea had started in her dorm room and grew into a successful business employing more than 30 members of staff. By 2023, Pava was living in Baltimore, Maryland, and earlier that year, she was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list under the social impact category. It was recognition that Pava was a force for change.
She was a passionate environmentalist and even as her business started to raise millions of dollars, and the Forbes accolade made her well known, she remained focused on the community and her plans to make social change in the city she loved. On 22 September 2023, Pava attended a local festival that celebrated the Baltimore arts scene. It was a Friday night. On the Sunday evening, her parents were worried when she didn’t call them like she always did. Their fears were confirmed when a colleague let them know Pava hadn’t turned up for work on the Monday morning. Pava was reported missing.
Officers went to her apartment building and found her partially clothed body on the rooftop. She’d been sexually assaulted and had died of strangulation and blunt force trauma. Her red shoes lay nearby with a brick that had her DNA on it.
Violent offender
It was a shocking murder that took place in her own building. Surveillance footage showed she had encountered a man after leaving the festival. They parted, but Pava didn’t notice he had followed her while keeping his distance.
She entered the apartment block at about 10.30pm. The man waved through the glass at her, as though he’d forgotten his keys or was having trouble getting in. Pava let him in and they were seen having a conversation as they got into a lift together. Within an hour, the man was captured on video coming down the stairs, wiping his hands on his shorts and quickly leaving the building.
Pava’s death was shocking and the community and her loved ones were even more angered when they discovered it could have been prevented. Officers identified the man as Jason Billingsley, who had an extensive criminal record going back to 2009 including sexual assault and armed robbery.
Six days before Pava’s body was found, Billingsley had committed a home invasion about a mile from her apartment. He gained entry into another block of flats by pretending to be the maintenance man and kicked in the door of April Hurley, a woman who has since publicly spoken out about her attack.
At gunpoint, Billingsley duct-taped April and her male friend. He sexually assaulted April and slashed her throat with a knife. Billingsley then doused them both in a flammable liquid and set them on fire. Incredibly, they both survived.
Billingsley was identified as the suspect but while the Baltimore police were pursuing him, they didn’t alert the public as they didn’t think he was committing random acts of violence. If they had, Pava might have been on high alert and not let him into the building.
Pava’s family were horrified to discover Billingsley had also served time in prison for attempted rape. He had been sentenced to 30 years with 16 years suspended, leaving just 14 as part of a plea deal. But he’d then been released in 2022, five years early.
Maryland had a “diminution credit” system that allows inmates to reduce their sentences through good behaviour and by taking educational courses. Billingsley was set free.
After a manhunt, Billingsley was finally arrested at a train station on 27 September. He was charged with murder, assault and using a brick as a dangerous weapon. He was also charged with two counts of attempted murder for his attack on April Hurley and her friend. He pleaded not guilty.
Memorials were held for Pava at her former university. It was announced that the Center for Entrepreneurship would be renamed after her.
Before the trial was due to begin in August this year, Billingsley, 33, changed his plea to guilty. The prosecution said
he had followed Pava and tricked his way into the building. He attacked her with a brick.
The prosecution said Billingsley should never have been released from prison on “good behaviour”. And the police should have alerted the public that there was a manhunt for Billingsley after the first home invasion.
At the sentencing, Billingsley made a statement in court. “I hold myself fully accountable,” he said.
“I’m very remorseful. I sincerely, deeply apologise.”
Change in the law
Billingsley’s lawyer said he’d had a difficult upbringing. Pava’s father Frank said he was sorry about the killer’s
past, but it didn’t excuse what he’d done. Describing the pain of losing his daughter and their sadness at not being able to share in her undoubtedly bright future, he added, “You have taken away so much. All our lives have changed. But Pava would be proud of what was accomplished.”
Pava’s mum, Caroline, said the criminal justice system and society needed to be improved.
April Hurley, now 25, spoke about suffering with flashbacks and debilitating anxiety. “I will never be the same person,” she said. “The impact this attack has had on my life has been nothing short of devastating. I now live in constant fear. If it weren’t for God and my will to be alive, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
At the sentencing, the judge said, “I try not to judge people by their worst acts, but no one in any community, in my opinion, will be safe as long as you are free.” Billingsley was given three consecutive life sentences.
Pava’s parents campaigned and successfully got a bill passed that will end good behaviour credits for anyone imprisoned for first-degree rape in Maryland. It’s called the Pava Marie LaPere Act. They hope that other US states will follow suit.
Pava’s family say they are left with immense pride at the legacy she has left. The talented woman wanted to inspire change, and she will continue to do so, even after her death.
