HOUSTON, TX – A Houston man accused of killing his pregnant wife was apprehended in Milan, Italy, after cutting off his ankle monitor and fleeing the country just weeks before his trial was set to begin.
The Escape and Capture
Lee Gilley, 39, was scheduled to stand trial later this month for the capital murder of his wife, Christa Gilley. Authorities say Gilley removed his GPS monitoring device last Friday, triggering an alert.
According to federal affidavits, Gilley traveled through Canada before boarding a flight to Italy. Upon arriving in Milan, he allegedly attempted to use forged Belgian travel documents under a false name. Italian customs officers identified the fraud and took him into immigration custody, where he eventually admitted his true identity.
Background of the Case
The charges stem from an October 2024 incident at the couple’s Houston home. Gilley initially called 911 to report his wife had overdosed. However, an autopsy later revealed Christa Gilley died from “compression of the neck” consistent with strangulation.
At the time of her death, Christa was nine weeks pregnant. The couple’s two young children were reportedly inside the home when the incident occurred.
Extradition and New Charges
Gilley was out on bond under strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport, when he fled. His defense attorney, Dick DeGuerin, stated his client fled because he was “frightened.”
Currently, Gilley is seeking asylum in Italy, claiming wrongful prosecution and fear of the death penalty. Legal experts suggest Texas authorities may need to certify that the death penalty is off the table to secure his extradition.
In addition to capital murder, Gilley now faces a federal charge of interstate flight to avoid prosecution. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is working with Italian officials to bring him back to Texas.
