By Roberto Bustamante
A Texas man charged with capital murder in the death of his pregnant wife has fled the country, his attorney said.
Lee Mongerson Gilley39, was charged in 2025 with capital murder for the death of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilleywho was pregnant at the time of her death. On Monday, May 4, Gilley’s attorney, Dick DeGuerin, told KPRC that his client had removed his electronic ankle video display before boarding a plane to Canada.
Gilley He flew from Canada to Italy, where he was detained by authoritiess, DeGuerin told KHOU. Upon arriving in Italy, Gilley reportedly told authorities that he was seeking asylum in the country because he was being “unfairly prosecuted” and feared being sentenced to death, according to KPRC.
Gilley is accused of intentionally causing the death of Christa and her unborn child by applying pressure to the neck and upper back on October 7, 2024, according to charging documents reviewed by People.
At the time of Christa’s death, Gilley He initially told police that his wife had died from an overdose and that he tried to resuscitate her. after finding her unconscious. She was transferred to a local scientific institution, where her death was later confirmed.
When Christa arrived at the hospital, medical staff informed police that she had obvious bruising and trauma to her face, according to a bail warrant obtained by People at the time. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled his death a homicide, with the cause of death being “neck compression.”
As reported by KPRC, Gilley He later admitted to police that he and Christa had argued hours before her death. and that she was not suicidal or a drug user.
He was arrested for murder in October 2024, released on $1 million bail on October 21, and required to wear an electronic video ankle display as a condition of his bail. He was also not allowed to leave the state of Texas without prior notice.
Authorities allege that before leaving the country, Gilley spoke with a woman about whether she knew of any Mexican identity she could obtain to facilitate her departure, KPRC reported, citing court documents.
On Friday, May 1, his electronic video display issued a leash tampering alert, and authorities were unable to contact Gilley in the following days.
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