26-year-old tech CEO Pava LaPere found dead in Baltimore apartment building; murder investigation underway


baltimore– Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere is being remembered not only for her impact in her industry but also for the work she’s done for Charm City.


WATCH: Police announce arrest warrant in murder case of Baltimore Tech CEO Pava LaPere

Everyone who knew him said the same thing: Lapeyre loved helping people. Those who mourned his death say the city lost a great champion for the community.

After identifying the city leaders jason billingsley32, like a suspect in her death Mayor Brandon Scott praised him Monday.

Scott said, “Pava was a very young, talented, dedicated Baltimorean – someone I had the opportunity to know over the last few years, who would help anyone she saw.”

LaPere’s resume includes several nonprofits where he helped entrepreneurs get their start.

But his company, Ecomap Technologies, is where his penchant for helping really blossomed. The company created resource maps for communities.

McKeever Conwell – who has known LaPere since she was a student at Johns Hopkins University and is also part of Baltimore’s tech community – said it reflects LaPere’s character to have a company based on helping people.

“She was the one,” he said.

Conwell, who is managing partner at tech company Rarebreed Ventures, said LaPere made it a priority to make sure everyone had a seat at the table.


Ecomap will hold a vigil in memory of Pava Lapeyre on Wednesday

LaPere’s work garnered statewide and national attention, landing her on the 30 Under 30 list as well as the Baltimore 40 Under 40 list.

Conwell said the city has lost its rhythm with his departure.

“She was going to make EcoMap as successful as possible, and then she was going to help a lot of people along the way,” he said. “When that was done, I don’t know what his next thing would have been, but it would have been on an even larger scale. It would have been helping more people.”

Ecomap released a statement describing Lapeyre as an “extremely compassionate and dedicated leader.” The company also said that “his legacy will live on through the work we do.”

Wendy Bolger, founding director of the Simon Center on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loyola University Maryland, said LaPere served on the newly established advisory board for the center.

“She always put values ​​first and was deeply committed to the promise of technology and entrepreneurship for Baltimore and everyone,” Bolger said in a statement.

Upsurge Baltimore, a local tech company, described LaPere as a visionary and said the community had lost a shining star.

Community remembers Lapeyre’s impact

Ecomap released a statement mourning the loss of LaPerre.

“The circumstances surrounding Pava’s death are very tragic, and our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly devastating time. Pava was not only the visionary force behind Ecomap, but also an extremely compassionate and dedicated leader. Her tireless commitment to our company, to Baltimore, to enhancing the vital work of ecosystems across the country, and to building a deeply inclusive culture as a leader, friend, and partner has made her a strong candidate for leadership. He set the standard, and his legacy will live on through the work we will continue to do.”

-Ecomap Technologies

According to Lapeyre’s LinkedIn, she graduated from Johns Hopkins University, and was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the social impact category this year.

WJZ received this statement from Johns Hopkins University:

“The Johns Hopkins community deeply mourns the tragic loss of Pava LaPere, a 2019 graduate who made Baltimore her home and invested her talents in our city. Pava was well-known and loved in the Baltimore entrepreneurship community and “He will be greatly missed. Our sincere thoughts are with his family at this time of grief.”

-Johns Hopkins University

Upsurge Baltimore, another Baltimore-based technology company, also issued a statement.

“The entire team of Upsurge Baltimore expresses our deep shock and sadness at the tragic and untimely death of Pava LaPerre, Founder and CEO of EcoMap. Pava was a friend and inspiration to many of us. Our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. Pava’s Family, friends and the entire EchoMap team. We stand in solidarity with him, mourning the passing of a true visionary. The Baltimore tech community has lost a shining star, and it is difficult to put into words the depth of the community’s grief. On the death of Pava.”

-Upsurge Baltimore

Loyola University Maryland also issued a statement Tuesday. Lapeyre served on an advisory board there.

“The Loyola University Maryland community is saddened to learn of the passing of Pava LaPerre, CEO of EcoMap. Ms. LaPerre served on the newly established Advisory Board for the Simon Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She was an exceptionally accomplished CEO and innovator , and an inspiration and a friend to many. She always prioritized values ​​and was deeply committed to the promise of technology and entrepreneurship for Baltimore and all. Loyola University Maryland Ms. LaPere’s ecomap and the communities created across the city Sad to lose a true star. He and his family are in our prayers.”

-Wendy Bolger, founding director of the Simon Center on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loyola University Maryland

WJZ confirmed Tuesday that LaPere co-founded and leads EcoMap, a company it says digitalizes ecosystems with its proprietary technology.

McKeever Conwell, managing partner at Rarebreed Ventures and an active member of the local tech community, had known LaPere since she was a student.

He said that from the very beginning he had the ability to drive.

“She epitomizes what it means to be a dreamer. What it means to be an entrepreneur. She’s the type of woman I want to be a mentor to my daughter,” Conwell said.

EcoMap works to create resource maps for communities.

Conwell said LaPere’s summary was great: She wanted to help people.

In addition to his work at Ecomap, he also works extensively to help other entrepreneurs get started – ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.

“You have a young white woman as CEO and a young black man as COO, you don’t see that every day,” Conwell said. “Their team is extremely diverse.”

But overall, Conwell said, LaPere’s death is a huge loss for all of Baltimore. She said she was one of its biggest cheerleaders.

“All these tech companies, when they start getting money…they want to go other places. She was here, she believed in it, and we lost her,” he said.

EcoMap will hold a vigil in Lapeyre’s memory on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the south steps of the Washington Monument at Mount Vernon.

Lapeyre’s murder investigation

Investigators said a missing persons call was made shortly before the discovery.

“It’s horrible,” Chris McNeese, a tenant in the building, told WJZ on Monday. “I mean, it’s obviously a bad thing for this to happen anywhere in the city, but it’s hard to imagine why this would happen specifically in this building.”

Arrest warrant has been issued In the murder of Lapeyre. Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, of Baltimore, is the suspect in the case and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

If you have information that can help detectives in this case, contact the department at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Connected: Police: Arrest warrant issued for murder of Baltimore Tech CEO Pava Lapeyre

WATCH: Police announce arrest warrant in murder case of Baltimore Tech CEO Pava LaPere


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