Police Nab Suspect in Brutal Murder of Baltimore Tech Executive

Police didn’t release any details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Jason Billingsley, but planned a news conference later in the morning.

AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
Frank LaPere, Nico LaPere and Caroline Frank, the family of Pava LaPere, founder of tech startup EcoMap Technologies, at a vigil on September 27, 2023, at Baltimore. AP/Stephanie Scarbrough

BALTIMORE — A man wanted in the killing of a Baltimore tech entrepreneur has been arrested, police said early Thursday.

Police didn’t release any details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Jason Billingsley, but planned a news conference later in the morning.

Baltimore police found 26-year-old Pava LaPere dead with signs of blunt force trauma in her apartment complex after she was reported missing late Monday morning. The Johns Hopkins University graduate had founded the tech startup EcoMap Technologies while she was still a college student.

This image provided by the Baltimore Police Dept., shows Jason Dean Billingsley. Baltimore police said Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2024, they are searching for Billingsley, suspected in the death of Pava LaPere, 26, the founder of a Baltimore tech startup who found dead after being reported missing late Monday morning. (
Jason Dean Billingsley, suspected in the murder of Pava LaPere. Baltimore Police Department via AP

Police announced a suspect in the case Tuesday evening, saying local, state and federal law enforcement agencies were searching for Billingsley, 32, who was paroled last October in an earlier sexual assault case. Court records show he pleaded guilty to first-degree sex assault in 2015.

The public defender’s office, which represented Billingsley in the past, told the Associated Press this week that it is too early for them to comment on this case.

Baltimore’s acting police commissioner, Richard Worley, had asked anyone with information about Billingsley’s whereabouts to contact authorities, saying Billingsley should be considered armed and dangerous.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, police said Billingsley is also suspected in a rape, attempted murder, and arson that occurred September 19 in Baltimore.

Officials have said they have no reason to believe LaPere knew Billingsley.


The New York Sun

© 2024 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use