Baltimore, Maryland – A horrific incident shook the residents of Baltimore on September 19, 2023, when a routine night turned into a nightmare for April Hurley. The Baltimore resident and her friend, Jonte Gilmore, were brutally attacked in Hurley’s Upton home, allegedly by Jason Billingsley.
Attorneys from Murphy, Falcon and Murphy have filed a lawsuit against Eden’s Homes, Property Pals, and Billingsley following the disturbing events recounted in court documents. Billingsley allegedly sliced Hurley’s throat, tortured and sexually assaulted her, and set both her and Gilmore on fire on that fateful night.
Despite the severity of their injuries, Hurley and Gilmore managed to survive the vicious attack after receiving emergency care at Shock Trauma. The subsequent discovery of tech founder Pava LaPere’s death on the rooftop of her Mount Vernon apartment building, revealed to be at the hands of Billingsley, led to his identification as a public threat and subsequent arrest in Bowie, Maryland on Sep. 27.
Billingsley, a registered sex offender with a criminal record, worked as a maintenance worker for both Eden’s Homes and Property Pals. Hurley has taken legal action against the companies and Billingsley, seeking compensatory damages for the traumatic ordeal she endured that night.
During a press conference, Hurley emotionally expressed the magnitude of the attack and the preventable nature of the tragic events. She criticized the companies for failing to thoroughly screen Billingsley’s background, emphasizing the need for accountability in hiring decisions that involve granting someone access to private residences.
Hurley’s legal representation has emphasized the negligence of both companies in their employment practices, highlighting the importance of conducting thorough background checks, especially for individuals entrusted with keys to residents’ homes. The absence of a mandatory background check law in Maryland raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of employers in ensuring the safety of their residents.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $75,000 from the defendants, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the lasting impact it has had on Hurley’s life. The lack of response from Eden’s Homes and Property Pals to requests for comment underscores the seriousness of the allegations presented in the case, shedding light on larger issues surrounding employee background checks and accountability in the workplace.