Family hopes for justice after man allegedly strangles his pregnant wife to death
HOUSTON (KTRK) - A Houston man is accused of killing his wife, who was nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s third child at the time of her death.
Police say 38-year-old Lee Gilley strangled his wife, 38-year-old Christa Bauer Gilley, to death last Monday night but reported it to police as a suicide attempt. Court records show Lee Gilley said the victim overdosed but later admitted she was neither suicidal nor a drug user.
Police say the suspect told them the couple had been arguing, and when he went to bed three hours later, he found his wife unresponsive. He is charged with capital murder and was denied bond Monday.
Christa Gilley was nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s third child at the time of her death, according to court records. She had her doctorate of physical therapy and worked at Memorial Hermann with cardiovascular and pulmonary patients. She was set to speak at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Conference in February.
Her family says they hope for justice for their daughter and her unborn child.
They issued a statement that reads in part, “Christa was an amazing mother, full of love, and excited to welcome her third child. They were taken from this world needlessly and way too early.”
Lee Gilley will return to court Thursday at which time his bond will be further discussed and a judge will decide whether he can contact his children.
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