A pregnant woman’s death was reported as a suicide. Now, her husband is being accused of killing her.

A Houston father and husband has been charged in connection to the death of his pregnant wife, according to court documents.

Lee Mongerson Gilley, 38, has been charged with capital murder after his wife, Christa, was strangled, leading to both her death and the death of her unborn child, according to court documents filed in the 497th State District Court.

He was taken into custody Friday and booked into the Harris County Jail, the Houston Police Department announced Saturday.

According to court documents, authorities accused Gilley of “intentionally and knowingly” causing the death of his wife and her unborn child “by applying pressure to Christa Gilley's neck and upper back.”

Ed McClees, Lee Gilley’s lawyer, said in a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday afternoon that he and his client have no comment.

“Mr. Gilley is devastated at the loss of his wife and we're working hard to get to the bottom of what actually happened,” he said during a phone call.

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Pregnant wife was strangled, authorities say

Houston police said someone called authorities about a suicide around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 at a home in the 800 block of Allston Street. Officers were told Gilley found his 38-year-old wife unresponsive inside the home. Paramedics took her to a hospital where she was eventually pronounced dead.

Hospital staff said she had bruising and “apparent trauma to her face,” and an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled her manner of death as homicide.

She died from “compression of the neck” or strangulation and she was pregnant, police said in the news release.

Television station KTRK obtained court records showing that Gilley called 911 the night his wife died and said she had attempted suicide by overdosing. He said he was performing CPR, the outlet reported.

According to the doctors who treated her, the bruises on her body did not match the story they were told about her attempting suicide, KTRK reported.

According to the outlet, Gilley told police the couple argued and when he got ready for bed three hours later, she was unresponsive. He told authorities his wife was not suicidal or a drug user.

McClees, his lawyer, said Tuesday afternoon that he is still in custody and has a hearing Thursday, where a judge will determine whether he is granted bond, his lawyer confirmed to USA TODAY.

A judge will also determine whether or not he can contact the couple's two children, reported television station KTRK.

'Heaven gained another angel': Remembering Christa Gilley

Loved ones remembered Christa online as a “beautiful person inside and out.”

“Heaven gained another angel,” shared one Facebook user who knew her. “You were such a beautiful person inside and out. Sending all my love to your beautiful babies . You will be missed! RIP.”

She graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Science, as well as the University of Pittsburgh with a doctorate in physical therapy, according to her LinkedIn page. She spent the past decade working for Memorial Hermann Health System and most recently, served as a Rehab Educator and Senior Physical Therapist.

She was also an adjunct professor , loved ones said in an online fundraiser.

According to those who knew her, she was passionate about helping her patients and colleagues.

“I was shocked to learn of the sudden death of a former colleague,” wrote one former colleague online. “Christa was a beautiful person who helped her patients and colleagues. My deepest condolences to her family, children and close friends. Rest in peace.”

A GoFundMe is being organized for Christa's family. As of Tuesday afternoon, community members have raised nearly $60,000 of the fundraiser's $100,000 goal.

The fundraiser's organizers are calling her death "an unbelievable tragedy for everyone in her community."

"She brought life to nearly any social situation," loved ones wrote. "And joy to those who knew her from all stages of her life."

The funds raised will help her family to cover legal, court and travel costs, organizers said.

"Your help will also go towards childcare, food and housing expenses that will allow them to concentrate on Christa’s babies, and not the financial stress of this heart-wrenching loss," the fundraiser read.

There will be a candlelight vigil held in Christa's honor on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. ET virtually and in-person.

Couple married in 2017, had 2 children

Christa and her husband married in late January 2017 , according to her Facebook page.

Her last public post on Facebook was in September 2022 . She saved a family photograph as her cover photo. In the picture, she holds one of the couple's children while pregnant with another as her husband stands next to her.

In a previous post in August 2021 , she shared a photo of herself smiling and holding the couple’s daughter.

A lawyer representing Christa’s family provided a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday afternoon.

“Christa’s family is devastated by her tragic death and the death of her unborn child. Christa was an amazing mother, full of love, and excited to welcome her third child. They were taken from this world needlessly and way too early. Christa’s family appreciates the outpouring from the community and hopes for justice for their daughter and their unborn grandchild. They are here to support Christa’s children and to focus on the memory of their daughter.”

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A pregnant woman’s death was reported as a suicide. Now, her husband is being accused of killing her.