Lee Gilley, who is facing a capital murder charge in the death of his pregnant wife, is fighting extradition from Italy to the U.S. after allegedly cutting off his ankle monitor and fleeing the country. Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into an attempted takeover of Gilley's vacant Houston home.
Gilley is accused of killing his wife, Christa, who was nine months pregnant, in Houston in October 2024. Her death was ruled a homicide by neck compression. Gilley has pleaded not guilty.
Federal investigators allege Gilley removed his ankle monitor on May 1 and fled Texas before his scheduled trial. He reportedly arrived at Milan Malpensa Airport using a false name and forged travel documents. He is currently in custody in Italy.
During a hearing in July, Gilley asked Italian judges to block his extradition, stating he was seeking protection for himself and his children. His Italian attorney has indicated that the defense has not received formal written guarantees from U.S. prosecutors regarding the potential for the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
In parallel, Houston police responded on June 17 to a trespassing complaint at Gilley's home. A man at the property claimed he had a right to be there and was willing to go to court to prove his claim. The Harris County District Attorney's Office referred the dispute to the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office as a civil matter, but a criminal investigation into the attempted property takeover was later opened by the Constable's office on July 6.
Records indicate that Lee and Christa Gilley purchased the home in 2018. However, a warranty deed filed in May purported to transfer the property to Save a Life Houses LLC, a Missouri-based company. Investigators have been examining whether this incident is connected to similar claims involving other vacant homes.
The Turin Court of Appeal in Italy has temporarily blocked Gilley's extradition, seeking further assurances from the U.S. government concerning the death penalty and a potential life sentence without parole. A response deadline has been set for August 31, with another hearing scheduled for early September.