| Michele Avila | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michele Yvette Avila February 8, 1968 |
| Died | October 1, 1985 (aged 17) Arleta, California |
Michele Yvette "Missy" Avila (February 8, 1968 – October 1, 1985) was a teenager murdered by her two best friends, Karen Severson and Laura Doyle in Arleta, California.
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Missy met Karen Severson when both girls where about 8 years old. Missy was the only girl and longed for a sister, while Karen was shy and lonely. As the two girls grew up Missy was petite and outgoing while Karen was overweight and awkward, and it became obvious that Karen was jealous of Missy's growing popularity and looks, after a falling out, Missy drove off with Karen and another friend Laura never to be seen again.
On the afternoon of October 1, 1985, Missy, Karen and Laura went to a park. Laura and Karen began to speak with Missy and a dispute was formed (mainly out of jealousy). Karen and Laura were jealous of Missy because she was very pretty and she attracted the attention of all the boys in their high school. Karen and Laura said that Missy had sex with their boyfriends. So Laura and Karen scratched Missy's face and also sheared some of her brown hair. The two friends proceeded to viciously shove her face into a shallow creek and then dragged a 100-pound log onto her neck. Missy was drowned and her body was recovered three days later by two hikers near the creek close to Colby Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest.
In July 1988, Eva Chirumbolo, another woman present when the murder occurred, came forward and told police the truth about Avila's death. Chirumbolo was a nonparticipant in the murder.
The case inspired a book and a television movie. The movie, called A Killer Among Friends, starred Tiffani-Amber Thiessen and Patty Duke. A book, called Missy's Murder, was written by Karen Kingsbury.
Severson and Doyle were convicted of second-degree murder and were sentenced to 15 years to life. They come up for parole periodically but so far neither has been released.
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