Latest Update: A familiar figure is at the center of a surprising dispute involving Lee Gilley’s home
A group of squatters has taken up residence in the home and posted a “No Trespassing” sign on the window of the property
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/lee-mongerson-gilley-court-050726-1-9d6f53bcd05e4461b1a2c9f120294ce1.jpg)
Lee Gilley.Credit : Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty
On May 1, Lee Gilley removed his ankle monitor, drove to the airport and left the country.
That ankle monitor had been a condition of his pretrial release after he was placed on house arrest at the Houston home where prosecutors say he killed his pregnant wife in October 2024.
But as Gilley was creating an international incident as he flew first to Canada and then on to Italy just days before his murder trial was set to begin, an individual was quietly trying to take control of his home in Houston.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/Houston-Police-051126-b975ee5a907b4d55821479f39f1e59b4.jpg)
Houston Police Search Gilley’s home two days before a warranty deed is filed by suspected squatter.
Public records obtained by PEOPLE show that the home owned by Gilley and his late wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, is currently in probate amid his ongoing legal proceedings.
But a warranty deed signed on May 8 that was obtained by PEOPLE states that the home is owned by Save a Life Houses, LLC.
Matthew Jackson, the authorized representative for the Missouri-based company, signed off on the warranty deed that was filed for record on May 21.
Houston Police confirmed to PEOPLE that a squatter had taken up residence in the home but would not offer further comment and directed all other questions to the Houston Constable’s Office.
That squatter was discovered after Christa’s father, Christopher Bauer, went to see the property and found the shades drawn and a “No Trespassing” sign taped to a window alongside the warranty deed that had been filed, KTRK reported.
Police were called to the home and communicated with someone inside the house, KTRK reported, but that person refused to come out and said they could prove in court that they were the rightful owner of the home.
Official records still list Lee and Christa Gilley as the home’s owners
Gilley may be able to straighten out the situation himself as he is in the process of returning home to the United States after officials in Texas sent paperwork to Italy asking to begin the extradition process.
His trial, which was set to begin in May, has now been pushed back, and he will face additional charges as well for fleeing the country.
