Houston, Texas — A Houston man has been apprehended on charges of capital murder following the suspicious death of his pregnant wife, which he initially reported as a suicide. Lee Gilley was taken into custody last Friday after investigators discovered inconsistencies in his version of events that pointed to foul play.
According to police, on Monday night, Lee Gilley dialed 911 claiming that his wife, Christa Gilley, who was nine weeks pregnant, had overdosed in what appeared to be a suicide attempt. However, upon arrival, authorities were met with conflicting evidence. Christa was unresponsive when the emergency services transported her to a local hospital, where she later died.
Initially, Lee Gilley told investigators he had found his wife unresponsive after waking up a few hours after they had gone to bed. He attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and insisted she must have overdosed. He further stated that Christa was not suicidal and did not use drugs, despite his claims of her alleged overdose.
The situation at home, as described by Lee, involved only the couple and their two young children. He admitted that he and Christa had argued prior to going to sleep, which police noted as part of their detailed investigation.
The hospital’s examination of Christa Gilley’s body revealed injuries inconsistent with her husband’s overdose assertion. Medical personnel identified signs of strangulation, a conclusion supported by both attending physicians and the medical examiner’s findings. This evidence contradicted the suicide narrative and implicated Lee Gilley in what appeared to be a violent altercation resulting in his wife’s death.
Court documents filed by the district attorney indicate strong suspicions that Lee Gilley “intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Christa Gilley by applying pressure to her neck and upper back.” This alleged assault also led to the death of their unborn child, amplifying the gravity of the case to include double homicide.
Following the horrific revelation, Christa Gilley’s family released a heartfelt statement expressing their profound loss. They remembered Christa as a loving mother excited about the arrival of her third child, describing the circumstances of her death as both needless and premature. The family also expressed gratitude towards the community for their support and conveyed their determination to seek justice for Christa and her unborn child.
As the investigation continues, the community and Christa’s family await further proceedings, with Lee Gilley expected to face a bond hearing this Thursday. The case has gripped the local community, leaving many to mourn the tragic loss and hoping for a judicial resolution that brings peace to the bereaved family.