A Houston man has been charged with capital murder in connection with the tragic death of his pregnant wife, court finds documents. Lee Mongerson Gilley, 38, faces a felony charge following the death of his wife, Christa Gilley, who was strangled, resulting in the deaths of both her and their unborn child.
Charges were filed in the 497th State District Court and Gilley was taken into custody Friday. The Houston Police Department announced his arrest on Saturday and he is currently being held at the Harris County Jail.
Court documents reveal that authorities believe gilley He “intentionally and knowingly” caused the deaths by “applying pressure to Christa Gilley’s neck and upper back,” resulting in her death and that of her unborn child.
Gilley’s defense has expressed regret over the tragic event. “Mr. Gilley is devastated by the loss of his wife and we are working hard to get to the bottom of what really happened,” his attorney said during a phone call.
As the investigation continues, details regarding the circumstances of the incident remain limited. This heartbreaking case has shocked the local community, as both Christa’s death and the loss of the fetus weigh heavily on friends and family.
Authorities are working to gather more information as the case progresses, while Gilley remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.