Pava LaPere
{{Short description|American businesswoman (1997–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Pava LaPere.png
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1997|01|21}}
| birth_place = Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date|2023|09|22}} (aged 26)
| death_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_cause = Strangulation and blunt force trauma
| alma_mater = Johns Hopkins University
| occupation = Businesswoman
| years_active = 2018–2023
}}
Pava Marie LaPere (January 21, 1997 – September 22, 2023) was an American businesswoman who was the founder and CEO of the tech startup EcoMap Technologies. She was murdered on September 22, 2023.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Chloe |date=2023-09-28 |title=Pava LaPere: Suspect arrested in killing of Baltimore tech CEO |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66951410 |access-date=2023-09-30 |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929083858/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66951410 |url-status=live }}
Early life and career
LaPere grew up in Tucson. She graduated from Catalina Foothills High School in 2015, and from Johns Hopkins University in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Lapidus |first=Sarah |date=2023-09-28 |title=Who was Pava LaPere? Tech executive killed in Baltimore grew up in Tucson |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/09/28/pava-lapere-tech-ceo-killed-in-baltimore-had-tucson-roots/70995712007/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002212533/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/09/28/pava-lapere-tech-ceo-killed-in-baltimore-had-tucson-roots/70995712007/ |url-status=live }} She initially studied computer science for three years before switching to sociology; she said that she wanted to use entrepreneurship to improve societal inequalities.{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=David |date=2023-09-28 |title=Slain Baltimore tech CEO wanted to disrupt industry’s ‘boys network’ |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/pava-lapere-baltimore-tech-ceo-disrupt-boys-network-case-killing-rcna117686 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002022236/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/pava-lapere-baltimore-tech-ceo-disrupt-boys-network-case-killing-rcna117686 |url-status=live }}
LaPere started Innov8MD, a non-profit for supporting student entrepreneurs in Maryland. In 2018, LaPere and Sherrod Davis founded EcoMap Technologies when LaPere was 21.{{Cite web |last1=McCluskey |first1=Mitchell |last2=Lynch |first2=Jamiel |date=2023-09-26 |title=26-year-old tech CEO found dead in Baltimore with signs of blunt-force trauma |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/26/tech/pava-lapere-ecomap-ceo-death/index.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=CNN |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001011756/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/26/tech/pava-lapere-ecomap-ceo-death/index.html |url-status=live }} The company sells artificial intelligence tools aimed at making clients' information more accessible and customer communications more seamless. In 2023, LaPere was included on Forbes's 30 Under 30 list in the social impact category.{{Cite magazine |date=2023 |title=Forbes 30 Under 30: Social Impact |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/social-impact |work=Forbes |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927061124/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/social-impact/ |url-status=live }}
Murder
Per Baltimore Police, on September 22, 2023, LaPere allowed Jason Billingsley access to her apartment building; he was seen getting on an elevator with LaPere. Within an hour, Billingsley was filmed wiping his hands on his shorts and hastily leaving the building. On September 25, 2023, LaPere was found dead from strangulation and blunt force trauma on the rooftop of her apartment building.{{Cite web |last=Planas |first=Antonio |last2=Chan |first2=Melissa |date=2023-09-28 |title=Baltimore tech CEO was found on apartment rooftop, died of strangulation and blunt force trauma |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/baltimore-tech-ceo-pava-lapere-was-found-apartment-rooftop-died-strang-rcna117928 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001035650/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/baltimore-tech-ceo-pava-lapere-was-found-apartment-rooftop-died-strang-rcna117928 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Yan |first=Holly |last2=Smart |first2=Sara |last3=Razek |first3=Raja |last4=Jimenez |first4=Omar |last5=Koenig |first5=Lauren |date=2023-09-28 |title=Slain Baltimore CEO died of strangulation and blunt force trauma, court documents say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/28/us/baltimore-tech-ceo-killing-suspect-arrest-pava-lapere-thursday/index.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002121157/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/28/us/baltimore-tech-ceo-killing-suspect-arrest-pava-lapere-thursday/index.html |url-status=live }} Following a days-long manhunt, Billingsley was arrested on September 27.{{Cite web |last=Cann |first=Christopher |last2=Nguyen |first2=Thao |last3=Nurse |first3=Krystal |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Jason Billingsley, man accused of killing Baltimore tech CEO, arrested after dayslong search |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/28/jason-billingsley-arrested-killing-of-pava-lapere/70988636007/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002133801/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/28/jason-billingsley-arrested-killing-of-pava-lapere/70988636007/ |url-status=live }} He was charged with first-degree murder, assault, and using a brick as a dangerous weapon.
= Perpetrator =
Jason Billingsley (born {{Birth based on age as of date|32|2023|9|28|noage=1}}{{Cite news |last=Yoon |first=John |last2=Hauser |first2=Christine |date=2023-09-28 |title=Suspect in Killing of Baltimore Tech C.E.O. Pava LaPere Is Arrested |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/us/pava-lapere-baltimore-jason-billingsley.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517000329/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/us/pava-lapere-baltimore-jason-billingsley.html |url-status=live }}) is a convicted sex offender. He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Planas |first=Antonio |last2=Stelloh |first2=Tim |date=2023-09-27 |title=Baltimore CEO, 26, was killed by a repeat offender who should have never been on the street, officials allege |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pava-lapere-ecomap-founder-dead-baltimore-rcna117457 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002060251/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pava-lapere-ecomap-founder-dead-baltimore-rcna117457 |url-status=live }}
In 2013, Billingsley was arrested and charged with rape following allegations that he had forced a woman to perform oral sex on him at knifepoint.{{Cite web |last=Planas |first=Antonio |last2=Burke |first2=Minyvonne |last3=Helsel |first3=Phil |date=2023-09-28 |title=Suspect in Baltimore tech CEO's death had warrant for alleged rape days before killing |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/baltimore-police-say-plan-announce-arrest-suspect-killing-tech-ceo-pav-rcna117773 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002025908/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/baltimore-police-say-plan-announce-arrest-suspect-killing-tech-ceo-pav-rcna117773 |url-status=live }} In 2015, Billingsley pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offense and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Under a plea agreement, 16 years of his sentence were suspended.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Minyvonne |date=2023-09-30 |title=How a violent sex offender now accused of rape and Pava LaPere's murder got out of prison early |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/violent-sex-offender-now-accused-rape-pava-laperes-murder-got-prison-e-rcna118093 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001235115/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/violent-sex-offender-now-accused-rape-pava-laperes-murder-got-prison-e-rcna118093 |url-status=live }} Billingsley was released from prison early in October 2022 under Maryland's diminution credit system, which allows inmates to reduce their sentences through things such as good behavior and taking educational courses.
Billingsley was a suspect in another similar case that occurred on September 19, three days prior to LaPere's murder, wherein he used his credentials as a maintenance worker to gain entry to another woman's apartment, sexually assault her at gunpoint, and set the victim, her friend, and their apartment on fire with the aid of an accelerant. He was charged with rape, attempted murder, and arson. Police believe that LaPere may not have known Billingsley.{{Cite web |last=Cann |first=Christopher |date=2023-09-29 |title=Details emerge in the killing of Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/29/pava-lapere-killed-jason-billingsley-arrested-update/71000723007/ |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929151813/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/29/pava-lapere-killed-jason-billingsley-arrested-update/71000723007/ |url-status=live }}
In August 2024, Billingsley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in LaPere's death, as well as the rape, attempted murder, and arson from the previous case, and received three life sentences with the possibility of parole, two to be served consecutively. The consecutive sentences reduce the likelihood that Billingsley will be released from prison; Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates stated that Billingsley would likely be 93 years old before he would have an opportunity to be released, as he would have to serve 60 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=Baltimore man pleads guilty to murder in entrepreneur Pave LaPere killing, gets life in prison |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/08/28/pava-lapere-jason-billingsley-murder-plea/ |access-date=August 30, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Helsel |first=Phil |date=2024-08-31 |title=Man sentenced to life for killing Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna169073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831123424/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna169073 |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Albert |first=Jessica |last2=Thompson |first2=Adam |last3=Olaniran |first3=Christian |last4=Davila |first4=Alexus |date=2024-08-30 |title=Jason Billingsley sentenced to life in prison for murder of Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/jasson-billingsley-pleads-guilty-killing-baltimore-tech-ceo-pava-lapere/?intcid=CNR-02-0623 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831124630/https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/jasson-billingsley-pleads-guilty-killing-baltimore-tech-ceo-pava-lapere/?intcid=CNR-02-0623 |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=CBS Baltimore |language=en-US}}
= Reactions =
On September 26, EcoMap Technologies issued a statement: "[T]he circumstances surrounding Pava's death are deeply distressing, and our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly devastating time."{{Cite web |last=Bohannon |first=Molly |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Suspect Arrested In Murder Of 26-Year-Old Tech CEO Pava LaPere |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/09/28/police-arrest-extremely-dangerous-repeat-offender-for-murder-of-26-year-old-tech-ceo-pava-lapere/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001175604/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/09/28/police-arrest-extremely-dangerous-repeat-offender-for-murder-of-26-year-old-tech-ceo-pava-lapere/ |url-status=live }}
Following Billingsley's arrest, LaPere's family said, "We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Baltimore Police Department, and their law enforcement partners, throughout the course of this investigation and apprehension of the suspect. We're relieved to know he can no longer hurt other innocent victims. While this doesn't change that Baltimore lost one of its most passionate, influential fans, our efforts remain focused on remembering and celebrating Pava Marie – her life, successes, and legacy."
File:HB 582, the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act (53518937419).jpg
Billingsley's mother expressed condolences for his victims and their families.{{Cite web |last=Dacey |first=Kim |date=2023-09-29 |title=Baltimore murder suspect's mom speaks for first time since son's arrest |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-murder-suspect-mom-jason-billingsley-pava-lapere-tech-ceo/45366661 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=WBAL-TV |language=en |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517000329/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-murder-suspect-mom-jason-billingsley-pava-lapere-tech-ceo/45366661 |url-status=live }}
Memorial services for LaPere were held at Johns Hopkins University in December 2023, where university President Ronald J. Daniels announced that it would rededicate its Center for Entrepreneurship in LaPere's honor.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Hallie |title=‘This is our gift to our daughter’: Pava LaPere honored at memorial service |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/pava-lapere-jason-billingsley-criminal-justice-memorial-service-baltimore-EO5VQGEMNZCVZJTAKL2PPSDGKI/ |access-date=December 9, 2023 |work=Baltimore Banner |date=December 9, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209230056/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/pava-lapere-jason-billingsley-criminal-justice-memorial-service-baltimore-EO5VQGEMNZCVZJTAKL2PPSDGKI/ |url-status=live }}
In January 2024, Maryland Governor Wes Moore endorsed legislation to restrict sex offenders' ability to earn "good time" credits that reduce their sentence, citing LaPere's murder.{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=Adam |title=After LaPere killing, Moore backs limits on early release for some sex offenders |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/moore-lapere-early-release-XSDQTJM5PZAGLHGIB45UTDKEKY/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Baltimore Banner |date=January 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116152343/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/moore-lapere-early-release-XSDQTJM5PZAGLHGIB45UTDKEKY/ |url-status=live }} LaPere's parents testified in support of the bill.{{cite news |last1=Worthington |first1=Elizabeth |title=Parents of Pava LaPere testify on bill targeting violent sex offenders |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/infocus/parents-of-pava-lapere-testify-on-bill-targeting-violent-sex-offenders |access-date=February 9, 2024 |work=WMAR-TV |date=February 7, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207001307/https://www.wmar2news.com/infocus/parents-of-pava-lapere-testify-on-bill-targeting-violent-sex-offenders |url-status=live }} The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore in May 2024.{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |title=Moore signs bills to tighten juvenile justice, expand gun safety measures |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/05/16/moore-signs-bills-to-tighten-juvenile-justice-expand-gun-safety-measures/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 16, 2024}}
References
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Category:2023 murders in the United States
Category:American business executives
Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni