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Husband charged with murder, accused of strangling pregnant wife at home

Lee Mongerson Gilley, 38, is accused of killing his wife and then calling 911 to report her death as a suicide.

HOUSTON — A 38-year-old man was charged with capital murder after investigators said he killed his wife and initially told law enforcement authorities that she killed herself.

Lee Mongerson Gilley was taken into custody four days after the death of his wife, Christa Gilley.

According to authorities, Lee and Christa were at their Heights home on Allston Street near 8th Street with their two children on Monday night when he called 911 and said his wife had overdosed and killed herself. Christa, 38, was about nine weeks pregnant at the time of her death, according to the medical examiner's office.

Lee told the 911 operator that he was performing CPR on his wife. Christa was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Doctors and the medical examiner reported injuries to her body that were consistent with strangulation and Lee admitted to authorities that his wife wasn't suicidal and wasn't a drug user.

Authorities said the couple had been arguing before Christa's death.

Lee was arrested on Friday and booked into the Harris County Jail. A judge denied bond for him on Saturday. He's due back in court on Monday.

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