Pava LaPere murder: Violent serial offender suspect was monitored by cops days before tech CEO was killed
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Serial offender Jason Billingsley, who allegedly murdered the Forbes 30 under 30 CEO Pava LaPere on her apartment rooftop, was tracked by officers three days before the victim's death.
The 32-year-old man was placed under surveillance following an attempted murder and rape incident that occurred on September 19, confirmed Baltimore Police, reported Daily Mail.
Jason Billingsley arrested days after Pava LaPere's death
Billingsley was taken into custody "without incident" at 11.00 pm Wednesday, September 27 at MARC Train Station on Laurel-Bowie Road in Bowie, located 30 miles from the crime scene at LaPere's apartment.
The victim, who was initially reported missing, was found dead on Tuesday, September 26. However, authorities now believe LaPere was murdered on September 22.
It remains unclear if the killer knew LaPere, how he gained access to the victim's "secure" building, and why law enforcement was unable to apprehend Billingsley before the tragic murder.
Richard Worley, Commissioner of Baltimore police who called Billingsley a "psychopath," defended the department's actions after they were criticized for the delay in alerting the public about the suspect following the September 19 incident.
Authorities claim they didn't expect Jason Billingsley to commit further crimes
Worley stated that the September 19 incident was not a "random act" and that the suspect knew those victims. This was apparently the reason authorities did not issue information on Billingsley, who had been working in the building.
The serial offender, who was convicted of attempted rape, was released early from his 30-year sentence.
Billingsley, who broke into a basement apartment, was accused of assaulting a woman and a man, both 26, while a 5-year-old child was present.
The woman was raped, and the suspect allegedly set fire to the building. Authorities linked Billingsley to the crime within 24 hours.
"He went to that location for a criminal reason. We were monitoring the suspect, which included tracking his phone, financial transactions, social media, and his known addresses," said Worley.
"In several instances we were able to track him in close proximity, and delayed the press conference on Monday because we were around 88 meters from capturing him," he revealed.
"But he was able to elude capture. We knew the risk was that when we went public, he would go underground, and that is exactly what he did," Worley claimed. "The news conference happened the other day, and he left the location where a search warrant had been issued when he watched it."
In connection to LaPere's death, Billingsley has been charged with first-degree murder, assault, and reckless endangerment.