Baltimore, Maryland – A horrifying incident in Baltimore has left residents shocked and seeking justice as April Hurley and her friend become victims of a brutal attack in their own home. The alleged perpetrator, Jason Billingsley, is facing legal action as a lawsuit is announced against Eden’s Homes, Property Pals, and Billingsley by attorneys from Murphy, Falcon, and Murphy.
Court documents reveal the gruesome details of the attack, with Billingsley accused of slicing Hurley’s throat, torturing and sexually assaulting her, and then setting her and her guest, Jonte Gilmore, on fire in her Upton home on September 19. Despite the severity of the attack, both Hurley and Gilmore managed to survive after receiving emergency care at Shock Trauma.
The situation escalated further as Baltimore tech founder Pava LaPere was tragically found dead on the rooftop of her Mount Vernon apartment building six days later. Billingsley was then publicly identified as a threat to the public and subsequently apprehended in Bowie, Maryland on September 27. As a registered sex offender and convicted felon, it was revealed that Billingsley was employed as a maintenance worker for Eden’s Homes and Property Pals, the companies responsible for managing and owning Hurley’s home.
Hurley, addressing the press during a conference, expressed her gratitude for surviving the horrific incident and emphasized that it could have been prevented. She highlighted the negligence of her former landlord and property manager in their decision to hire Billingsley despite his criminal history. This sentiment is echoed in the lawsuit, citing the companies as vicariously liable for the actions of their employee.
The complaint alleges that Eden’s Homes and Property Pals failed to conduct a proper background check on Billingsley, which would have revealed his violent history and prevented the tragic events that unfolded in Hurley’s home. The attorneys representing Hurley are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $75,000 from the defendants.
The case raises questions about the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of their employees and residents by conducting thorough background checks. Despite the absence of a specific state law requiring background checks in Maryland, the duty to ensure the security of individuals in positions of trust, such as maintenance workers with access to private residences, remains a vital aspect of safeguarding against potential threats.