HOUSTON, TX - A man in his late thirties facing a capital murder charge in connection with the death of his pregnant wife has fled the country, according to his attorney.
The husband, 39-year-old Lee Mongerson Gilley, was charged in 2025 with capital murder in connection with the killing of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was pregnant at the time of her death, PEOPLE reported. Gilley's attorney Dick DeGuerin said that his client had cut off his ankle monitor before boarding a plane to Canada, where he then took another plane to Italy.
Once landing in Italy, he was taken into custody by authorities, DeGuerin said. Gilley reportedly told authorities that he was "seeking asylum" in Italy because he was being "wrongfully prosecuted" and feared that he would face the death penalty.
Gilley is accused of "intentionally and knowingly" causing the death of Christa and her unborn child by "applying pressure to Christa Gilley's neck and upper back" on October 27, 2024, according to charging documents reviewed by PEOPLE.
At the time of Christa's death, Gilley initially told police that his wife died of an overdose and that he attempted to perform life-saving measures after finding her unresponsive. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Hospital staff told police that upon arriving, Christa had "bruising and apparent trauma to her face." Her death was ultimately ruled a homicide by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, with the cause of death listed as "compression of the neck."
Gilley later allegedly admitted to police that he and Christa had argued in the hours before her death, and that she was not suicidal or a drug user. He was arrested on a charge of murder in October 2024. He was released on a $1 million bail on October 21 and was required to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of the bond.
He was also not allowed to leave the state of Texas without prior notification. Authorities allege that before he left the country, Gilley spoke with a woman about "whether she knew of a Mexican identity he could acquire to facilitate his departure from the country," according to court documents.
On Friday, May 1, his ankle monitor sent a "strap tamper" alert, and Gilley was unable to be reached by authorities in the days following.
The husband, 39-year-old Lee Mongerson Gilley, was charged in 2025 with capital murder in connection with the killing of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was pregnant at the time of her death, PEOPLE reported. Gilley's attorney Dick DeGuerin said that his client had cut off his ankle monitor before boarding a plane to Canada, where he then took another plane to Italy.
Once landing in Italy, he was taken into custody by authorities, DeGuerin said. Gilley reportedly told authorities that he was "seeking asylum" in Italy because he was being "wrongfully prosecuted" and feared that he would face the death penalty.
Gilley is accused of "intentionally and knowingly" causing the death of Christa and her unborn child by "applying pressure to Christa Gilley's neck and upper back" on October 27, 2024, according to charging documents reviewed by PEOPLE.
At the time of Christa's death, Gilley initially told police that his wife died of an overdose and that he attempted to perform life-saving measures after finding her unresponsive. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Hospital staff told police that upon arriving, Christa had "bruising and apparent trauma to her face." Her death was ultimately ruled a homicide by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, with the cause of death listed as "compression of the neck."
Gilley later allegedly admitted to police that he and Christa had argued in the hours before her death, and that she was not suicidal or a drug user. He was arrested on a charge of murder in October 2024. He was released on a $1 million bail on October 21 and was required to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of the bond.
He was also not allowed to leave the state of Texas without prior notification. Authorities allege that before he left the country, Gilley spoke with a woman about "whether she knew of a Mexican identity he could acquire to facilitate his departure from the country," according to court documents.
On Friday, May 1, his ankle monitor sent a "strap tamper" alert, and Gilley was unable to be reached by authorities in the days following.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments