A surprising development involving the former home of Lee Gilley and his late wife, Christa Bauer, came to light Thursday during a Harris County family court hearing, as testimony revealed someone has taken possession of the property despite ongoing legal disputes connected to the high-profile case.

A surprising development involving the former home of Lee Gilley and his late wife, Christa Bauer, came to light Thursday during a Harris County family court hearing, as testimony revealed someone has taken possession of the property despite ongoing legal disputes connected to the high-profile case.

A Harris County family court judge will hear testimony on June 18 to decide if the children of accused killer Lee Gilley and Christa Bauer must return to Texas from South Carolina, where they are living with Bauer’s parents.

A Harris County judge issued a gag order restricting public statements by attorneys and others involved in the capital murder case against Lee Gilley, who is accused of killing his pregnant wife and fleeing to Italy.

Judge Peyton Peebles has ordered the forfeiture of Lee Gilley’s $1 million bond after Gilley fled to Italy before his capital murder trial, initiating the process for the state to recover the bond from the bonding company and co-signers.

New photos shared with KPRC 2 News show Christa on a girls’ trip to Sicily in May 2024, months before her death. She also studied abroad there while in college, according to her high school friend, Cara Kelly.

"We are deeply disappointed that the Defendant, [Lee Gilley] made bond just a week after Christa’s death, but we are focused on the safety and well being of Christa’s children," the family's attorney said in a statement.