Tech CEO who made Forbes 30 under 30 found dead in flat with blunt force trauma
A tech CEO who made it onto the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 list has been found dead in her flat just a week before she had been due to speak about her experiences as a young entrepreneur.
26-year-old Pava LaPere was found inside her luxury apartment in Mount Vernon, Baltimore, by police on Monday morning. Police responded to the apartment complex to investigate a "call for service" at around 11.34am on September 25, according to Baltimore Police.
When they got to the flat, officers found Pava dead with signs of blunt-force trauma. The Medical Examiner's Office responded and "took possession of the victim's body", police said.
Pava's company issued a statement sharing their 'deepest condolences' following the CEO's death (EcoMap / Instagram)It's not known whether the EcoMap founder was alone when she was killed or whether she had any guests over. Social media pages showed the successful CEO was single at the time of her death.
Pava had been due to join a lineup of speakers as the featured speaker at the Ecosystem Builders Forum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on October 2 - 3. Her company, EcoMap is listed as a sponsor for the event which includes a mix of workshops and interactive panel discussions.
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Chris McNees, a tenant of Pava's building, told WJZ: "That's pretty horrifying. 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."
Pava's apartment was in the former Congress Hotel, which had been renovated into apartments. One-bedroom flats in the building go for around $1,500 per month, according to the building's management company Zahlco.
Pava began her eco company from her dorm room at Johns Hopkins University, which aimed to make ecosystems information accessible to everyone along with "powerful technology to digitise ecosystems", according to their website.
Pava founded EcoMaps from her dorm room at Johns Hopkins University (Pava LaPere / Instagram)In the last 18 months, Pava's company has managed to raise $7 million in funding. The company explains: "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."
EcoMaps also prioritises diversity in its hiring. On her LinkedIn page, Pava proudly said her company is "50% female, 50% [persons of colour]." Clients include the Aspen Institute, Meta, and more, according to the company's website.
Her company issued a statement following Pava's death. They said: "The circumstances surrounding Pava's death are deeply distressing, and our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly devastating time.
"Pava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap but was also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader. 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."
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