Lee Gilley case: Victim's family wants to know who is living in their dead daughter's home

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- There is a new development in the case of Lee Gilley, the Heights man who investigators say cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Italy to avoid standing trial for his pregnant wife's murder.

The victim's family is now wondering who is occupying their murdered daughter's home.

The issue came to light during a child custody hearing in a Harris County family court on Thursday, where Christa Gilley's father testified that he recently visited the couple's home on Allston Street, the scene of the murder.

Christopher Bauer told the court that he discovered strangers living there. He also reported seeing closed blinds, "No Trespassing" signs, and cameras posted on the property.

The Houston Police Department confirmed officers responded to a trespassing call at 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday after a neighbor reported someone inside the residence. When officers arrived, a man refused to come out and communicated only through a doorbell speaker, claiming he was in possession of the home and could prove it in court, an HPD spokesperson said. The home was determined to be in probate due to a murder trial, she added.

SEE PREVIOUS STORY: Man accused of killing wife, unborn child to stay in custody overseas after fleeing to Italy: Media

An ABC13 visit to the property revealed new security cameras, additional "No Trespassing" signs, and a posted notice stating the home was under the "possession and control" of an LLC called Save a Life Homes.

Court records show the company filed an affidavit of adverse possession and a warranty deed on May 21, approximately three weeks after investigators say Gilley fled the country. Despite the filing, Harris County appraisal records still list Christa and Lee Gilley as the legal owners.

During the custody hearing, Bauer said he was shocked to see the new signage and surveillance equipment on the home.

Police say the matter was referred from the district attorney's office to the constable's office to be handled as a civil dispute.

Additional court records filed in federal court and reviewed by ABC13 show that Save a Life Homes has been involved in similar legal issues. In a separate west Houston property dispute, the company was accused of filing a fraudulent deed and affidavit. The rightful owner won that lawsuit after Save a Life Homes failed to respond or appear in court, court records show.

Lee Gilley remains in custody in Italy as officials there review the U.S request to extradite him back to Harris County. He is charged with capital murder.

His criminal case in Harris County remains on hold until Italy rules on the extradition request.

The couple's two young children are in the care of their maternal grandparents.

READ MORE: Judge rules that children of man accused of murdering wife will stay with grandparents in Texas