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Pava LaPere, 26-year-old founder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies, recently listed on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list, was murdered in her Baltimore apartment. According to the New York Post, her body was found on her roof.
NBC News said that Pava appeared to have suffered from blunt-force trauma and "Police said Tuesday they had issued an arrest warrant for Jason Billingsley on first-degree murder and additional charges. Officials said Billingsley, 32, of Baltimore, should be considered armed and dangerous." Billingsley is a repeat offender who has continuously been convicted of violent crimes. The New York Post states Billingsley is being investigated concerning a separate knifepoint sex attack and arson days before the murder. However, at this time, Baltimore authorities have not released any information about how or if the alleged suspect and LaPere knew each other. However, it's been confirmed that the apartment complex the victim was found in is a secure building, and someone let Billingsley in.
In 2015, Billingsley was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 16 years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to a first-degree sex offense, court records show. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley warned the public about the alleged suspect: "This individual will kill, and he will rape, he will do anything he can to cause harm." Billingsley has committed a string of serious offenses, "The Maryland sex offender registry shows he was released from prison in October. The registry classified him in "tier 3," which includes the most serious charges and requires offenders to register for life. Court records show Billingsley also pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2009 and second-degree assault in 2011, per NBC News.
LaPere's death comes as a great shock to those who knew her. The Johns Hopkins graduate is considered a hard worker and great leader who led EcoMap Technologies to client relationships with Aspen Institute, Meta, the WXR Fund, and the T. Rowe Price Foundation. According to CB Insights, "The company EcoMap operates as a data-driven platform specializing in offering chatbots for community businesses. It offers chatbots for entrepreneurial ecosystems, platforms for industry associations, small business communities, university entrepreneurial ecosystems, and chatbots for main street communities."
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