US: Convicted sex offender serving 30 years on parole kills tech CEO featured in Forbes '30 Under 30' list

A 26-year-old tech boss from the United States was mysteriously found dead in her apartment on Monday. As per reports, Pava LaPere, the co-founder of the data management company EcoMap Technologies, was found lifeless in a flat located in the Mount Vernon area by the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). Authorities have identified 32-year-old individual named Jason Dean Billingsley as a suspect in murder. Reports say police received a call for assistance at an apartment complex at approximately 11:30 am on Monday. Upon their arrival, they encountered LaPere with serious head injuries. No further details regarding her passing have been made public by the police. The medical examiner’s office has taken custody of the body, and an examination is pending, according to law enforcement. Officials have disclosed that the suspect, Jason Dean Billingsley, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and additional offenses. Police have cautioned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. During a press briefing, Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley issued a warning, stating, “This individual is capable of causing harm, including murder and sexual assault.” Billingsley reportedly has a significant criminal history dating back to 2009, according to court records. One of the most startling revelations is that Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison on February 4, 2015, after being convicted of a 1st-degree forcible sex offense. He had been in custody since July 11, 2013, on that charge. Although he received 16 years of suspended time and five years of parole, he was released from prison in October 2022 under the previous administration of State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. The circumstances surrounding Billingsley’s release remain unclear, and officials provided no detailed explanations on Tuesday. Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his dismay, stating, “There’s no way in hell he should have been out on the street.” Billingsley’s criminal record doesn’t end there. In 2009, he was also convicted of first-degree assault and violation of probation, both of which carried sentences of five and three years, respectively. LaPere was recognised on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for social impact this year due to her start-up’s accomplishments. In August, the firm disclosed that it had secured nearly $8 million in financing. On Tuesday, LaPere’s technology company released a statement announcing her tragic demise, describing it as an “unimaginable tragedy” and expressing deep distress about the circumstances surrounding her passing. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), EcoMap Technologies stated that Ms. LaPere was not only the driving force behind EcoMap but also a profoundly compassionate and dedicated leader. “EcoMap mentioned that her unwavering commitment to our company, to Baltimore, to promoting the crucial work of ecosystems across the nation, and to fostering an all-inclusive organizational culture as a leader, friend, and partner set a benchmark for leadership, and her legacy will persist through the work we continue to undertake,” said the company.