BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: A female tech CEO, who was initially reported missing, has been found dead inside her Baltimore apartment with blunt-force trauma.
Pava LaPere, 26, who appeared on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, was found inside her luxury Mount Vernon apartment by police Monday morning, September 25, shortly after she was informed missing.
The social impact entrepreneur reportedly owned a $7 million company and as of now, authorities have refused to reveal who made the 911 call.
The medical examiner’s office “took possession of the victim’s body,” police said, according to New York Post. It is also not known whether LaPere had any guests over prior to her death.
Police said no arrests have been made yet
No suspects have been arrested, and police have not revealed any possible motives. According to her social media, LaPere was born in Tucson, Arizona, and was single.
“That’s pretty horrifying,” building tenant Chris McNees told CBS News Baltimore. “I mean, just for that to happen anywhere in the city is obviously a bad thing, but it’s hard to imagine why this would happen specifically in this building," McNees added.
The EcoMap founder lived in the former Congress Hotel which has since been renovated into apartments.
According to the building’s management company Zahlco, one-bedroom apartments go for around $1,500 per month.
Who was Pava LaPere?
Pava LaPere was the co-founder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies which she launched from her college dorm room at the age of 22.
The purpose of her company is to make ecosystems information accessible to everyone along with “powerful technology to digitize ecosystems,” according to the company’s website.
“Whether you’re talking about a college alumni network or an entire industry, ecosystems are largely invisible. When ecosystems are invisible, they are inaccessible. When they are inaccessible, they are inequitable. When they are inequitable, they are inefficient. We’re making the invisible, visible so that all ecosystems can thrive,” it states.
Besides her Forbes recognition, she was named in Baltimore's 40 Under 40 and Maryland's 25 Under 25 lists for innovation.
Pava was remembered as one of the 'brightest stars' in Baltimore, and a 'compassionate visionary force' by those who knew and worked with her.
Under her vision, the Baltimore-based startup has raised a total of $7million in funding in the last 18 months.
EcoMaps also prioritizes diversity. LaPere proudly noted on her LinkedIn page that her company is “50% female, 50% [persons of color].” Her clients include the Aspen Institute, Meta, and more, according to its website.
Pava LaPere's company releases statement after her tragic demise
Following her death, the company released a statement expressing their condolences and calling her passing “deeply distressing.”
“Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader", it said in a statement, according to CBS News Baltimore.
"Her untiring commitment to our company, to Baltimore, to amplifying the critical work of ecosystems across the country, and to building a deeply inclusive culture as a leader, friend, and partner set a standard for leadership, and her legacy will live on through the work we continue to do,” the statement added.
