A Rising Entrepreneur Killed by a Parolee
Pava Marie LaPere, the founder and chief executive of a Baltimore tech start-up, was found dead in her apartment on Monday, the police said. She had suffered blunt-force trauma to her head and body. She was 26 years old.
LaPere was the visionary behind EcoMap Technologies, a company that improves accessibility of information by mapping it and putting it on an accessible platform. She was also the founder of Innov8MD, a nonprofit that helps student entrepreneurs in Maryland.
LaPere was well known and loved in the Baltimore entrepreneurship community and will be profoundly missed, according to a statement from her company. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2019 with a degree in sociology and entrepreneurship.
The police have identified the suspect as Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, who is charged with first-degree murder in LaPere’s killing. He is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous, and the police are conducting an all-out search for him.
A Violent Criminal with a History of Sex Offense
Billingsley has a criminal record that includes a violent crime involving a sex offense. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the previous crime but was released on parole in October 2022.
Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a news conference on Tuesday that Billingsley is willing to “do anything he can to cause harm”. He urged the residents to be aware of their surroundings and report any sightings of the suspect.
“This individual will kill, and he will rape. He will do anything he can to cause harm,” Worley said.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his frustration with the justice system that allowed Billingsley to be out on parole. He said that the conviction should be the conviction, and that people who commit violent crimes should be held accountable.
“We are tired of talking about the same people committing the same kind of crimes over and over again,” Scott said.
A Tragic Loss for Baltimore and Beyond
LaPere’s death has shocked and saddened many people who knew her or admired her work. She was described as a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader who had a positive impact on the city and beyond.
Johns Hopkins University said in a statement that it deeply mourns the tragic loss of LaPere, who made Baltimore her home and invested her talent in the city.
“Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader,” the university said. “Her untiring commitment to our company, to Baltimore, to amplifying the critical work of ecosystems across the country, and to building a deeply inclusive culture as a leader, friend, and partner set a standard for leadership, and her legacy will live on through the work we continue to do.”
The Baltimore Police Department is asking anyone with information about Billingsley’s whereabouts to call 911 or contact homicide detectives at 410-396-2100.
