Person attributes
Pava LaPere was a Baltimore-based entrepreneur who focused on founding companies and organizations related to technology. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from Johns Hopkins University in 2019.
LaPere started her career while still studying at Johns Hopkins University, where she founded and was the executive director of The Hatchery, the first venture incubator for students at the university. Additionally, LaPere cofounded Innov8MD, a nonprofit that is dedicated to mentoring student entrepreneurs in the state of Maryland.
In 2018, she founded EcoMap Technologies, a start-up that builds customized platforms for ecosystems so industries and sectors can access hyperlocal information. LaPere served as CEO of EcoMap Technologies until her sudden death in September 2023.
LaPere won several awards throughout her lifetime, including the Bisciotti Foundation Prize for Student Entrepreneurship in 2021, and was named one of Baltimore's 40 Under 40. In 2023, LaPere was named as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for social impact.
LaPere was found murdered on September 25, 2023, on the roof of the apartment building where she lived, but was most likely killed days earlier. Her alleged murderer had been known by police because he had committed several violent crimes in the days before her murder, including rape, attempted murder, and arson. The police did not notify the public of the suspect being at large.
LaPere came into contact with her alleged murderer when he knocked on the entrance glass door of the apartment building where she lived. It is assumed that the suspect was acting as if he were a resident of the building who didn't have access to his keys. LaPere, along with the rest of the public, was unaware that a suspect wanted for the aforementioned crimes was not in custody and opened the door to allow him into the building. Her body was found a few days later, and official reports state that she died of blunt-force trauma and strangulation.
