Houston Man Who Allegedly Staged Pregnant Wife’s Death as Overdose Arrested in Milan After Escape Attempt

A Houston man was apprehended by police at Milan airport after he tried to flee from an ongoing murder investigation. Lee Galley, 39, stands accused of killing his pregnant wife in 2024.

Merely weeks before his scheduled murder trial, the accused husband tried to escape to Italy. Gilley was out on a $1,000,000 bail when he fled, fearing a possible death sentence.

Lee Gilley has been charged with capital murder after killing his wife, Christa Gilley, in Texas. The incident happened in 2024 when Gilley strangled his wife to death. Court documents report Christa was approximately nine weeks pregnant at the time of her murder. After committing the crime, Gilley reportedly called 911 for help. Police revealed that on the call, he claimed his wife had overdosed and that he was performing CPR to resuscitate her.

But when Christa underwent an autopsy following her suspicious death, the medical examiner found evidence of strangulation. The case was immediately ruled a homicide.

During the investigation, prosecutors accused Gilley of murdering his wife. They also filed documents that indicate an extramarital affair and an argument regarding the purchase of a vehicle between the couple. These incidents, according to the filing, led up to Christa’s death.

Gilley was out on bail when he cut off his ankle monitor and attempted to flee. He flew from Texas to Canada, from where he intended to travel to Italy. He believed he was wrongly prosecuted for his wife’s murder.

Harris County court records show that a judge revoked his bail bond and issued an arrest warrant after he fled to Canada. Prosecutors alleged that Gilley was in contact with a Californian woman with whom he discussed fleeing to Mexico.

He also allegedly developed a detailed plan to remove his ankle monitor and obtain a new identity through marriage. Pretrial services in the case revealed that Gilley’s ankle monitor triggered a strap tamper alert the minute he took it off. Officers attempted to contact him immediately for inspection, but he did not respond.

Gilley’s defense attorney said his client was apprehended at Milan airport. When police questioned his identity on grounds of suspicion, the 39-year-old admitted he was seeking asylum.

Attorney Dick DeGuirin added, “It’s very concerning, and I’m concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt that he’s running from it, but I think he’s just scared.”

Meanwhile, attorneys representing the victim’s family condemned Gilley’s attempted escape. Tim Ballengee said the family expects the accused husband to remain in custody during court proceedings.

In his words, “The family fully expects that the defendant will be in custody for the duration of the proceedings, and trusts that the court will ensure the defendant is never again able to flee from justice.”