Detectives with the Baltimore Police Department have opened a murder investigation into the death of a 26-year-old technology entrepreneur and CEO who was found dead in her apartment on Monday.
Police officials issued a warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Jason Deans Billingsley in connection with the murder of EcoMap co-founder and CEO Pava LaPere on Tuesday afternoon. He is wanted for first-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and other charges. Officials also claimed Billingsley was considered armed and dangerous, warning he will “rape and kill.”
SUPREME COURT DENIES REQUEST BY ALABAMA TO USE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS
Officers responded to a call at an apartment complex in the city at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, where they found the body of LaPere with signs of blunt force trauma, police officials said. Her death was confirmed by the company on Tuesday.
“The 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,” the company said in a statement. “Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader.”
EcoMap continued, “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.”
Officials said a missing person’s call about LaPere was made shortly before her body was found. The cause of death has not been released.
LaPere, who graduated from Johns Hopkins University, was named to this year’s Forbes 30 under 30 list in the “social impact” category, according to her LinkedIn profile. LaPere said she was “honored and humbled” to make the list.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“The entrepreneurs on this list are building amazing solutions to the world’s toughest problems,” LaPere wrote in a post last December. “It’s a reminder that we have all the assets we need to create change — it’s just a matter of being able to access & use that information effectively.”
Anyone with information about LaPere’s death can contact Baltimore police at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
