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A "psychopath" Baltimore felon with a history of sexual violence who police say murdered a tech entrepreneur and allegedly planned a brutal attack on another couple days earlier has been captured after a two-day manhunt.
Jason Dean Billingsley, a 32-year-old who served less than a third of his 30-year sentence for rape, is accused of bludgeoning Pava Marie LaPere to death in her West Franklin Street apartment building. She was named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list earlier this year in the social impact category.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley revealed Thursday that although she was found Monday, the murder is believed to have taken place Friday night.
Less than two weeks ago, Billingsley is suspected of another violent home invasion that nearly killed a local couple. He worked in their building and gained access without having to force his way in, authorities said.
MURDERED BALTIMORE TECH CEO LATEST VICTIM OF PROGRESSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE, EXPERTS SAY
Pava LaPere in her X profile photo, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. LaPere was found dead Monday with blunt force trauma in Baltimore. An ex-con named Jason Billingsley was arrested in her killing. (Pava LaPere/X)
Police allege he entered a home on Edmondson Avenue and attacked the couple there, raping the woman and nearly killing them both before lighting it on fire with a 5-year-old inside as well.
Both adults were hospitalized in critical condition, according to police, and the child was rescued without suffering physical injuries.
"Every single life in Baltimore matters," said Mayor Brandon Scott, who condemned Billingsley's earlier release from prison.
Baltimore police released a new booking photo of Jason Billingsley after his arrest on charges of murder, attempted murder, rape and arson. The 32-year-old convicted rapist is accused of violently attacking a couple and lighting their house on fire, and then days later killing local tech CEO Pava LaPere in her apartment building. (Baltimore Police Department)
"I had the pleasure of knowing Pava and she was truly a light in our city and this world," he told reporters Thursday. "It’s heartbreaking that she is no longer here with us, especially… at the hands of someone who should not have been on the streets in the first place."
According to authorities, investigators are reviewing additional unsolved cases all the way back to October 2022, after Billingsley's release from prison, to check for signs of his involvement.
Exterior view of a home showing evidence of a fire above a window opening in the basement on Edmondson Avenue in Baltimore, MD on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Jason Billingsley, the lead suspect in the rape and murder of Pava LaPere, is also suspected in a rape and attempted murder at this address earlier this month, according to police. (Annabelle Gordon/CNP for Fox News Digital)
WHO IS JASON BILLINGSLEY, ACCUSED OF KILLING BALTIMORE TECH CEO PAVA MARIE LAPERE?
Billingsley has a violent criminal history stretching back to 2009, when court records show he was convicted of felony assault. He was already on probation at the time.
When reporters grilled Worley about why police hadn't released his mugshot after the Sept. 19 attack, Mayor Scott stepped in – saying it wasn't the fault of Baltimore police that a violent rapist had been freed after serving less than a third of his 30-year sentence.
"It was the Baltimore Police Department that did their work that led to the initial case that he was in prison for," Scott said. "And what the residents of Baltimore should be doing is questioning why he was let out and how that happened."
This image provided by the Baltimore Police Department shows Jason Dean Billingsley. He was arrested in the death of Pava LaPere, 26, the founder of a Baltimore tech startup who was found dead after being reported missing late Monday morning. (Baltimore Police Department via AP)
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Worley described the suspect as a "psychopath" but said he surrendered without further incident after a Prince George's County SWAT team surrounded him late Wednesday evening.
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates said his office would seek a sentence of life without parole if Billingsley is convicted of the latest charges, which include murder, attempted murder, rape and arson.
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