A Baltimore man was handed a life sentence for the murder of tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere in 2023, officials stated. Jason Billingsley, aged 33, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder on Friday. He received three consecutive life sentences for the death of LaPere, as well as the rape of April Hurley and the attempted murder of Hurley and her male friend.
Billingsley, a habitual criminal, had been released from prison after a first-degree sex offense conviction before embarking on a violent spree in Baltimore.
The incidents led to revisions in legislation. This defendant should have never been released into the community following a first-degree sex offense conviction to inflict immense trauma, pain, and sorrow on so many individuals in such a short amount of time,” State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates stated.
In light of these cases, Maryland passed legislation eliminating diminution credits for first-degree sex offenders.
On September 19, 2023, Billingsley posed as maintenance staff and knocked on the door of April Hurley’s apartment in the early hours of the morning. He kicked in the door, held Hurley down, sexually assaulted her, and slashed her throat, according to Bates.
Billingsley doused the couple and their apartment with accelerant before setting it ablaze; they both survived.
Six days later, LaPere was reported missing, and her body was discovered on the roof of her Mount Vernon apartment building along with a brick. Surveillance footage revealed that LaPere, co-founder of startup EcoMap Technologies, had let Billingsley into her building at 10:32 p.m., after which they boarded an elevator together. At 11:08 p.m., the surveillance video showed Billingsley leaving the building. The medical examiner ruled LaPere’s death a homicide resulting from strangulation and blunt force trauma.
LaPere was recognized as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for social impact. She began her eco-conscious company in her dorm room at Johns Hopkins University.
Hurley and LaPere’s family attended a news conference on Friday, during which Bates announced the guilty pleas and life sentences.
Every day, I have flashbacks and triggers that cause terrible anxiety, pain, and stress,” Hurley reportedly said. I will never be the same person.
If it weren’t for God and my will to be alive, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she added.
