Following a multi-day manhunt, law enforcement has taken a man into custody in connection with the murder of Pava LaPere, a 26-year-old tech CEO from Baltimore, Maryland, who founded the startup EcoMap Technologies.

Ms. LaPere was reported missing on Monday morning and tragically discovered deceased only hours later. The authorities arrested Jason Dean Billingsley, a convicted felon, early on Thursday.

According to law enforcement, it appears that Ms. LaPere met her untimely demise on Friday night, with no evidence of forced entry into her residence. Court documents reveal that her lifeless body was located on the rooftop of a central Baltimore apartment building, exhibiting apparent signs of trauma to her head, face, and body.

Surveillance footage reveals that Ms. LaPere seemingly allowed the suspect to enter the building, as depicted in court documents. The suspect was observed waving at her through a glass door, to which she responded by opening the door.

Investigators had previously stated that there was no prior connection between Ms. LaPere and Billingsley, who was the subject of a first-degree murder warrant.

During a Thursday morning news conference, law enforcement disclosed that a SWAT team had surrounded the 32-year-old suspect approximately 27 miles (43 kilometers) south of Baltimore at a train station in Bowie, Maryland.
Ms. LaPere went to school at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she started the tech company at age 21.

She had been named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list earlier this year.

After the arrest, Ms. LaPere's family issued a statement saying they were "relieved to know [the suspect] can no longer hurt other innocent victims".

"While this doesn't change that Baltimore lost one of its most passionate, influential fans, our efforts remain focused on remembering and celebrating Pava Marie - her life, successes, and legacy," the statement said.

During a Wednesday vigil, Ms. LaPere's father, Frank LaPere, said his daughter was "the definition of daddy's little girl".

He recalled how they would exchange photos of their sunrise walks and thanked attendees "for loving our girl".

The suspect was also wanted in another case of attempted murder, rape, and arson, on 19 September in Baltimore.

Before his arrest on Thursday, officials warned the public that he was armed and dangerous.

Billingsley was released from prison in October 2022 after serving nearly seven years for a first-degree s*x offense.

He has been on Maryland's registered s*x offender list since his release.

Police say they are examining other cases since October to see if Billingsley could be connected to any of them.

The suspect's mother, Scarlett Billingsley, texted him "to turn himself in because they're going to kill him", NBC News reported.

Scarlett Billingsley also told the network her son had visited her home briefly on Monday and showed her a gun.

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