Baltimore, Maryland – A survivor of a horrific attack, April Hurley, is stepping forward to share her story of resilience. Hurley endured a harrowing ordeal, including sexual assault, throat slashing, and being set on fire. The perpetrator, identified as Jason Billingsley, a 32-year-old maintenance worker at Hurley’s property, stands accused of these heinous crimes. Baltimore police revealed that Billingsley knew his victims and has been charged with rape, attempted murder, and arson in a case on Edmondson Avenue.
Not only was Billingsley linked to the brutal attack on Hurley, but he was also charged with the murder of Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere. Hurley, along with her legal team, has filed a civil lawsuit against Billingsley, the property manager of the apartment where the incident occurred (Eden’s Homes), and the property owner (Property Pals LLC).
In a courageous statement, Hurley expressed gratitude for surviving the traumatic event, emphasizing the severity of Billingsley’s actions. Billingsley is currently awaiting trial, facing accusations of restraining and sexually assaulting Hurley, as well as brutally attacking her and another individual before setting their residence ablaze and fleeing the scene.
Legal representatives have asserted that the property owner and manager displayed negligence in their hiring processes, failing to conduct a thorough background check on Billingsley. Hurley underscored the preventable nature of the tragedy, lamenting that proper vetting could have averted the catastrophic events.
Following a manhunt, Billingsley was apprehended in September 2023 on suspicion of the murder of Pava LaPere. Authorities believe LaPere was likely murdered on September 22, as she was reported missing on September 24 and discovered deceased the following day. Billingsley faces additional charges related to criminal activities in multiple cases.
At a recent news conference, the second victim, Jonte Gilmore, was notably absent. Gilmore, currently in Central Booking, faces charges of attempted murder in a separate case. The legal proceedings surrounding Billingsley’s crimes continue to unfold, shedding light on the profound impact of his actions on the victims and their community.