Suspect arrested in murder of Baltimore tech CEO

Police arrested the suspect in the murder of 26-year-old Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere, police said Thursday.

Jason Billingsley, 32, was taken into custody after 11 p.m. Wednesday at a train station in Bowie, Md., U.S. Marshals said, according to The Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit local news outlet. The Baltimore Police Department is scheduled to hold a press conference later Thursday morning on the arrest. 

In addition to being wanted for LaPere's murder, Billingsley was also wanted in connection to a rape, arson and attempted murder that occurred last week. 

Police found LaPere, the cofounder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies, dead with signs of blunt force trauma in her apartment complex shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Monday after she had been reported missing earlier that day. 

Billingsley, a registered sex offender who was released from prison last year, had been arrested at least three times since 2009 on multiple charges, including sex offenses, assault and robbery. 

Police have said there is no reason to suspect that Billingsley knew LaPere, according to The Associated Press. 

LaPere had gained national recognition for her work on her startup, which focuses on creating information networks. Earlier this year, she earned a spot on Forbes' 30 under 30 list for social impact.

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