Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore woman who survived a horrific attack last year is taking legal action against the man accused of assaulting her and later killing a tech CEO, along with the property company that employed him. April Hurley endured a brutal ordeal in her West Baltimore home, where she was bound, sexually assaulted, had her throat slashed, and set on fire alongside another individual. Both victims managed to escape with their lives after being rescued by neighbors.
The perpetrator, Jason Billingsley, was soon identified and arrested for the crimes. Following Hurley’s terrifying experience, Pava LaPere, CEO of tech company EcoMap, was tragically found beaten to death in her Mount Vernon apartment. The connection between Billingsley and the two victims prompted Hurley to file a lawsuit against him, the property management company Eden’s Homes, and Property Pals, the home’s owner, seeking compensatory damages.
High-profile attorney William “Billy” Murphy Jr. is representing Hurley in the lawsuit, alleging negligent hiring, premises liability, and breach of lease against the companies. Hurley, bearing visible scars from her attack, emotionally condemned the entities at a press conference, expressing that the tragedy could have been prevented if proper precautions had been taken in screening employees like Billingsley.
Billingsley, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, had a history of violence and was released on parole in 2022. Hurley’s legal representation emphasized that a more thorough background check could have averted the harrowing events that unfolded in the victims’ lives. The lawsuit also extends to addressing the lack of regulations that might have prevented Billingsley from having the opportunity to inflict harm.
In the aftermath of Hurley’s ordeal and LaPere’s tragic death, questions arose about the police response and the handling of the cases. Concerns were raised about the delay in informing the public about the severity of the situation and the potential connections between the two crimes. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley defended the department’s actions, stating that the incident was not initially categorized as a random attack, leading to a delay in public dissemination of information.
While the legal proceedings against Billingsley move forward, Hurley’s lawsuit sheds light on the importance of proper vetting processes and the responsibility of companies to ensure the safety of their residents. The impact of this case has sparked conversations about the need for stricter regulations and precautions to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. As the community grapples with the aftermath of these horrific events, the pursuit of justice and accountability remains paramount for all those affected.