A tragic and shocking crime unfolded in broad daylight in Germantown, Maryland, where 49-year-old Pria Gaba was gunned down while walking to a bus stop. The single mother, known for her hard work and devotion to her only son, Lim, was shot three times in what witnesses describe as a calculated execution.
Pria had recently finalized a contentious divorce from her ex-husband, Baldo Tenasia, who owed her $10,000 in alimony payments. Tensions had escalated during their divorce proceedings, with Baldo reportedly engaging in bizarre behaviors, including erecting a drywall to limit Pria’s access to their shared home. As she sought a better life in the U.S., Pria’s dreams were brutally cut short.
Eyewitnesses reported the assailant as a woman, raising immediate questions about Baldo’s new wife, Rainda Cower, who had been involved in spying on Pria during the divorce. The investigation quickly turned towards the couple, who lived 600 miles away in Nashville, Tennessee. Detectives learned that Rainda and Baldo had recently purchased two revolvers, one of which matched the weapon used in Pria’s murder.
In a dramatic twist, surveillance footage captured Baldo and Rainda shopping for guns just days before the killing. When police confronted the couple at their home, they found not only the murder weapon but also wigs and hoodies, further implicating them in the crime.
As investigators pieced together the timeline, it became evident that Baldo and Rainda had traveled to Maryland, ostensibly to attend a work conference, but only to establish an alibi for the murder. The prosecution argued that this was a premeditated act of revenge, fueled by years of bitterness over the divorce.
Both Baldo and Rainda were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Despite their denials, the evidence against them was overwhelming. They were ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison, leaving Lim to navigate life without his mother.
Now 25, Lim is determined to honor his mother’s memory by pursuing his education and building a future. He visits her grave weekly, a poignant reminder of the dreams she had for him. As he reflects on the tragedy, Lim expresses a simple yet powerful sentiment: he hopes both Baldo and Rainda “rot in prison for the rest of their lives.”
This heartbreaking case underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the lengths to which some will go in the name of revenge. As the community grapples with the loss of a beloved mother, the chilling details of this murder serve as a stark warning of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.
