A statewide manhunt is currently underway in Maryland for Jason Billingsley, a 32-year-old repeat offender with a violent criminal history.
Billingsley is the prime suspect in the murder of Pava LaPere, a 26-year-old tech CEO and founder of EcoMap Technologies. LaPere was found dead in her Baltimore apartment on Monday, with injuries indicative of "blunt-force trauma," as reported by the police.
Billingsley, who was prematurely released from prison by former State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, a Soros-backed figure, is now wanted for first-degree murder. He had served only seven years of his 30-year sentence. Additional charges related to LaPere's murder, including reckless endangerment and assault, have also been leveled against him, according to Newsweek.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley issued a stark warning to the public about Billingsley. "This individual will kill, and he will rape," Worley stated. "He will do anything he can to cause harm. We implore residents to be aware of their surroundings at all times."
The decision to grant Billingsley parole has been met with severe criticism from authorities. Billingsley's criminal record includes a guilty plea to a first-degree sex offense in 2015, a guilty plea to first-degree assault in 2009, and a guilty plea to second-degree assault in 2011, as reported by NBC News. The Maryland sex offender registry indicates that Billingsley was released from prison early in October.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his outrage over Billingsley's release, stating, "There is no way in hell that he should have been out on the street." Scott further emphasized the need for convictions to hold weight. "When the police go out and do their job, as they did in this case ... and the state's attorney goes out and does their work, gets the conviction, the conviction should be the conviction," Scott asserted. "We are tired of talking about the same people committing the same kind of crimes over and over again."
Detectives are currently investigating any potential connection between LaPere and Billingsley, as well as possible motives for the crime. However, police currently do not believe there was any relationship between the two.
In a direct message to Billingsley, Commissioner Worley urged him to surrender, warning that "every single police officer in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland, as well as the US Marshals are looking for you." He added, "We will find you ... and then we will turn it over to the states attorney to prosecute you to the fullest. So please turn yourself in."
LaPere, who was featured on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list, was remembered by her family as "driven, creative, hard-working and relentless in her efforts, with her wonderful team at EcoMap Technologies."
In a written statement, the family said, "Pava made an impact in every endeavor she undertook and on every life she touched. She will be forever missed as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and loyal friend."
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