Dolores Avery was the mother of Steven Avery, the subject of the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer. She died on July 8, 2021, at the age of 83, after a long battle with dementia. She spent her last weeks in hospice care, according to her son Earl. She was a mother of four children, and she died the day before Steven’s birthday.
Who was Dolores Avery?
Dolores Avery was born on August 20, 1937. She married Allan Avery in 1954, and they ran a salvage yard in rural Gibson, Wisconsin, since 1965 on a 40-acre property. They had four children: Charles (Chuck), Steven, Earl, and Barb.
Dolores was a devoted mother who loved her family and never stopped believing in her son Steven’s innocence. She was featured in the Making a Murderer series, which followed Steven’s case and conviction for the murder of Teresa Halbach in 2005. Dolores and Allan spent a huge amount of money to prove Steven’s innocence and visited him regularly in prison.
Dolores became a symbol of strength and perseverance to millions of people worldwide who watched the series and sympathized with her plight. She also tried to make a case for the idea that Teresa Halbach was still alive somewhere.
What was Steven Avery’s case?
Steven Avery was born in 1962 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. He had a troubled childhood and a criminal record for minor offenses. In 1985, he was convicted of the rape and attempted murder of Penny Beerntsen, despite having an alibi. He served 18 years in prison before being exonerated by DNA evidence in 2003. The real perpetrator was Gregory Allen, a rapist who was serving a 60-year prison sentence for another crime committed in 1995.
In 2005, Steven was arrested again for the alleged assault, murder, and disappearance of Teresa Halbach, a 25-year-old photographer who was last seen at the Avery’s salvage yard. Her car, bones, and belongings were found on the property. Steven and his nephew Brendan Dassey were charged with the crime. They both pleaded not guilty and claimed that they were framed by the police and prosecutors who had a vendetta against Steven for his wrongful conviction lawsuit.
The Making a Murderer series raised doubts about the validity of the evidence and the fairness of the trial. It also exposed the corruption and misconduct of some officials involved in the case. The series sparked a public outcry and a demand for justice for Steven and Brendan.
Steven was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Brendan was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 41 years. Both of them have appealed their convictions and are still fighting for their freedom with the help of their lawyers.
How did Dolores Avery die?
Dolores Avery died on July 8, 2021, at 6:50 a.m., according to Kathleen Zellner, Steven’s current attorney. She had been suffering from dementia for several years and had been under hospice care. Her death came as a cruel blow to Steven, who had always hoped to see his mother again as a free man.
“Losing my parents before I got out has always been my worst nightmare. Now it has happened,” Steven told TMZ. “I worry my Dad will not live to see me as a free man. Today I lost the person I most wanted to take care of and give a better life when I am freed. I cannot put in words the pain of losing my mom.”
Zellner also expressed her condolences and admiration for Dolores on Twitter.
“Sweet Dolores Avery always had a kind word for us. Loved her family, lived for the day Steven was freed, never stopped believing in him and his innocence. Her spirit and devotion will sustain us. Steven knows she is watching over him,” Zellner wrote.
Many fans and supporters of Steven also mourned Dolores’ death and paid tribute to her on social media.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more affected by the passing of a person I’ve never met. She dedicated years of her life trying to prove Steven’s innocence. My condolences to the Avery family. RIP Dolores,” one user wrote.
Dolores Avery will be remembered as a loving mother who fought for her son until the end. She will also be remembered as an inspiration to many people who seek justice and truth.
