The Tragic Tale of Michele Avila

Introduction

In the serene backdrop of Los Angeles County, California, a chilling tale of jealousy and betrayal unfolded on October 1, 1985. Seventeen-year-old Michele Yvette "Missy" Avila, once a vibrant high school student, was brutally murdered by those she considered friends. This haunting narrative reveals the unsettling events that led to her untimely death and the subsequent unraveling of a friendship turned fatal.

Background

Michele Avila spent her formative years in Arleta, nestled within the San Fernando Valley. Her life intertwined with that of Karen Severson, a friendship that began at the tender age of eight. However, as the duo entered the corridors of San Fernando High School, their bond began to fray. Michele's beauty and popularity were a source of envy for Karen, who watched as Michele drifted away, choosing the company of boys over her childhood friend.

The tension escalated when Karen, driven by jealousy, spread damaging rumors about Michele's alleged promiscuity. This gossip culminated in a violent altercation where Michele found herself beaten by a group of girls who accused her of being involved with their boyfriends.

During their junior year, Michele briefly dated a boy named Randy but ended the relationship due to his penchant for partying. It wasn't long before Karen and Randy became an item, moving in together. Despite the new relationship, Karen harbored resentment towards Michele. An incident at a party, where Michele reportedly sat on Randy's lap, further fueled Karen's anger. This animosity reached a boiling point ten days before Michele's death, resulting in a physical confrontation in a park. Witnesses recalled Karen brandishing a broken beer bottle, threatening Michele, and slapping her.

The Murder

On that fateful day in October, Michele informed her mother she was going out with Laura Doyle, a friend from school. Laura picked Michele up, but what transpired in the ensuing hours remains a harrowing mystery. Four hours after leaving, Laura called Michele's mother, feigning concern and inquiring about Michele's whereabouts. She claimed to have dropped Michele off with three boys driving a blue Camaro, only to return from getting gas to find them gone.

Three days later, hikers discovered Michele's lifeless body submerged face down in a mere six inches of water in Big Tujunga Canyon, part of the Angeles National Forest. Her waist-length hair had been cruelly hacked off, and a four-foot log lay across her body—a grim testament to the brutality of the act.

Conviction and Aftermath

In the days following the murder, Michele's mother, Irene Avila, was none the wiser to the involvement of Karen and Laura. Both girls attended Michele's funeral, with Laura even sending a sympathy card accompanied by twenty dollars. Karen, in a bizarre twist of fate, moved in with Irene, posing as a surrogate daughter, though she would later dispute this claim. Her behavior grew increasingly unnerving as she became obsessed with the murder—frequenting Michele's grave, decorating her room with images and clippings about the crime, and even claiming to have seen Michele's ghost.

The case languished in obscurity for nearly three years until Eva Chirumbolo, another teenager from the group, broke her silence. Her testimony implicated Karen and Laura in the murder. On July 26, 1988, the police arrested the pair, charging them with first-degree murder. Prosecutors revealed that the duo had lured Michele to the creek, where they accused her of promiscuity and ruining relationships. In a macabre act of vengeance, they held her down in the shallow water, using a log to ensure she wouldn't resurface.

By March 1990, both Karen Severson and Laura Doyle were convicted of second-degree murder, each receiving a sentence of 15 years to life. Jurors had dismissed the charge of first-degree murder, unconvinced it was premeditated. After serving 21.5 years, Karen was released in December 2011, while Laura followed in December 2012, having served 22 years.

Karen's release was met with outrage, particularly when she sought to profit from her story through a memoir and potential film deal. This prompted Michele's family to file a lawsuit against her, leading to the enactment of "Missy's Law" in California. The law mandates that crime-related publications must notify victims' families, preventing criminals from profiting without accountability.

In Popular Culture

Michele Avila's tragic story has seeped into popular culture, inspiring various adaptations and features. Karen Kingsbury's book, "Missy's Murder," delves into the case, while the made-for-TV movie "A Killer Among Friends," starring Tiffani-Amber Thiessen and Patty Duke, dramatizes the events. The case gained further attention through episodes of "Deadly Women," "Unusual Suspects," "Dr. Phil," and "Killer In Plain Sight," each exploring the sinister saga of friendship turned deadly.

Conclusion

The murder of Michele Avila remains a harrowing reminder of the dark depths of human jealousy and betrayal. Her life, tragically cut short by those she trusted, continues to echo through the halls of true crime history, serving as both a cautionary tale and a call for justice.

Sources

• Michele Avila Wikipedia