A Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife allegedly cut off his court-ordered ankle monitor, fled the country and attempted to enter Italy using forged travel documents, just weeks before he was set to stand trial, authorities say.
Lee Gilley, 39, had been scheduled to stand trial later this month on a capital murder charge in the slaying of his wife, Christa Gilley, who was found dead in their Houston home in October 2024.
Gilley reportedly removed his GPS monitor last Friday, which alerted officials that the device had been tampered with, and then he traveled through Canada before boarding a flight to Italy, according to a federal affidavit viewed by Court TV.
When Gilley arrived in Milan, authorities claim he had forged Belgian travel documents, including a passport bearing the name “Lejeune Jean Luc Olivier.”
He is now in custody in Milan, Italy, according to his attorney, Dick DeGuerin.
Italian customs officers allegedly identified the documents as fraudulent and denied him entry into the country, placing him into immigration custody.
While in custody, authorities said Gilley admitted his true identity and acknowledged he was awaiting prosecution in Texas for his wife’s murder.
Houston police responded to the couple’s home on October 7, 2024, following a reported suicide. Gilley had called 911 and reported that his wife had suffered an overdose.
Christa Gilley was found unresponsive and transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
An examination revealed that she had injuries consistent with strangulation, and an autopsy later revealed that she died “due to compression of the neck,” according to NBC Houston.
She was nine weeks pregnant at the time of her death, according to medical examiner’s records. The couple’s two young children were at home on the night their mother was killed.
Gilley was arrested days later and charged with capital murder, according to Houston police. He was released on bond under strict conditions, which included surrendering his passport and remaining in Texas unless granted permission to travel, ABC13 reported.
It was reported shortly after their mother’s death in 2024 the children were staying with Christa Gilley’s parents after their father’s arrest for her murder.
Gilley’s defense attorney Dick DeGuerin told KPRC 2 News that his client fled because he was frightened.
“It’s very concerning,” DeGuerin said. “I’m concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt that he’s running from it, but I think he’s just scared.”
Italian authorities said Gilley has since requested asylum, claiming he was being wrongfully prosecuted and could face the death penalty if he’s returned to the United States. DeGuerin said that Texas authorities may now have to certify that Gilley will not face the death penalty before Italy agrees to extradite him.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that prosecutors were aware Gilley had fled the jurisdiction and said they were coordinating with Italian authorities to secure his return.
Gilley now also faces a federal charge of interstate flight to avoid prosecution.
