Police in Texas say a woman once thought to have died from an overdose was allegedly killed by her husband, who has been charged with capital murder. The Houston Police Department responded to a call on October 7 for an apparent suicide. Lee Gilley, 38, reportedly called 911 and said he found his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, 38, unresponsive. According to her husband, the pregnant mother of two apparently overdosed and he called the police to report it as a suicide, but law enforcement officials say that’s not what actually happened.
According to a news release from the City of Houston, emergency crews took Christa Gilley to the hospital, where doctors observed trauma to her face, and an autopsy concluded that her death was a homicide.
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The couple reportedly argued prior to the woman's death.
Per a bond order obtained by People, Lee Gilley told police he was home with his wife and two small children earlier in the day, and that he and Christa Gilley argued. Lee Gilley told police he found her unresponsive three hours after she’d gone to bed. He called 911 and reportedly attempted CPR.
Paramedics took Christa Gilley to an area hospital.
Staff pronounced the mother dead, but hospital officials reportedly noticed something strange. Lee Gilley allegedly said his wife had died from an overdose, but staff noticed “bruising and apparent trauma to her face,” the release explained.
Investigators ordered an autopsy.
Christa Gilley did not overdose.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences determined Christa Gilley died from compression of the neck, according to the news release. The autopsy also revealed she was approximately eight weeks pregnant. Experts deemed Christa Gilley’s death a homicide and arrested her husband.
Friends called Christa Gilley's death a 'tragedy.'
Liza McGilvery created a GoFundMe account to help support Christa Gilley’s family as they face unexpected expenses for “legal, court, and travel costs.”
“Christa, at her core, was a caregiver. It was no surprise that she went into the healthcare field, excelled as a physical therapist and then as a professor,” McGilvery wrote on the page. “She was compassionate with patients, considerate with students, and kind hearted with colleagues. She brought life to nearly any social situation. And joy to those who knew her from all stages of her life.”
One donor wrote, “Wearing our purple and sharing your story to try and bring good from tragedy. You always had such a heart for others and every photo I have of you from high school you are laughing- an indicator of the spirit of joy you had even then. Rest in peace, Christa.”
Another donor shared kind words, commenting, “Prayers for her family, friends and anyone who knew her. It was a privilege to be her sorority big sis.”
The GoFundMe account has brought in nearly $150,000 thus far.
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Lee Gilley faces a capital murder charge.
Police arrested Lee Gilley on October 11 without incident. He was booked without bond and faces a capital murder charge, per online jail records. According to Texas law, if convicted, Lee Gilley could face the death penalty.
