Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore woman is taking legal action against Jason Billingsley, the man accused of assaulting her in a horrific incident last year, as well as the property company that employed him. April Hurley survived a brutal attack in her West Baltimore home, where she was bound, sexually assaulted, had her throat slit, and was set on fire along with another individual. Both victims were rescued by neighbors.
Following the attack, an arrest warrant was issued for Jason Billingsley. Hurley recounted how Billingsley, a maintenance worker at her residence, had attacked her and another man in the home, while a child remained unharmed on a different floor. Tragically, six days later, the CEO of tech company EcoMap, Pava LaPere, was found beaten to death in her Mount Vernon apartment. Billingsley was identified as a suspect, leading to his apprehension in Bowie after a dayslong manhunt.
April Hurley, represented by civil rights attorney William “Billy” Murphy Jr., is seeking compensatory damages from Billingsley, Eden’s Homes property management company, and Property Pals, the company that owned the home. The lawsuit includes allegations of negligent hiring, premises liability, and breach of lease. Hurley appeared in a press conference with visible slash marks on her neck, lamenting the failures of the companies in preventing the harrowing ordeal she endured.
Jason Billingsley, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, was released on parole in 2022, having served only seven years of a 30-year sentence for sexual assault. Hurley’s attorney emphasized that a basic background check could have prevented the devastation caused by Billingsley’s actions. Despite lobbying efforts by LaPere’s parents for legislative changes, the Pava Marie LaPere Act did not pass in the 2024 session.
Billingsley is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to stand trial on August 26. Meanwhile, Hurley’s attorney questioned the Baltimore Police Department’s handling of the case, citing delays in alerting the public and differences in treatment between Hurley’s assault case and LaPere’s murder. Although the police defended their actions, stating the attack was not considered random, scrutiny continues regarding the department’s response to the crimes.
Efforts have been made within the police department to enhance protocols for public information release following these incidents, but questions linger about the potential prevention of LaPere’s murder with earlier public awareness. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community grapples with the aftermath of these tragic events and seeks accountability for those responsible.