Man accused of murdering pregnant wife cuts off ankle monitor, flees to Italy, attorney says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man accused of killing his pregnant wife and their unborn child is back in custody after authorities say he cut off his ankle monitor and fled the country weeks before his trial.

Lee Gilley, who was scheduled to stand trial May 29, is now in custody in Milan, Italy, according to his attorney, Dick DeGuerin.

A judge revoked Gilley's $1 million bond after investigators received a tampering alert from his ankle monitor on Friday, court records show. Authorities said attempts to contact him after the alert were unsuccessful.

Prosecutors allege Gilley strangled his wife, Christa Gilly, at their home in The Heights in 2024. The couple's two children were in the home at the time, investigators said.

According to police, Gilley called 911 and reported that his wife had attempted suicide by overdosing. He told dispatchers he was performing CPR.

Gilly had been released on bond under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and remaining in Texas unless granted permission to travel.

Prosecutors had previously raised concerns that Gilley posed a flight risk. Court filings indicate he requested permission on March 31 to travel to South Carolina to visit his terminally ill mother.

Additional court documents filed in recent weeks allege Gilley had discussed plans to flee the country. Prosecutors say he talked about traveling to Mexico and other countries and explored the possibility of obtaining a new identity.

Authorities have not said how Gilley was able to leave the United States despite the travel restrictions.

It remains unclear when he could be returned to the United States.