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Banking Exec Found Dead In Home Was Fatally Beaten, Allegedly By Ex, Authorities Say
“My mom was such a beautiful person, just so loving, if there was anything that you needed from her, she would be there,” Michelle Avan's son said of the 48-year-old Bank of America executive.
A Los Angeles banking executive known for promoting diversity in her industry was beaten to death, allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, authorities said.
Anthony Duwayne Turner, 52, is now facing one felony count of murder and first-degree residential burglary in the death of 48-year-old Michelle Avan, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Avan, who was discovered in her Reseda home Thursday, had been beaten to death.
“Ms. Avan was a leader in our community and this senseless act of violence has resulted in a significant loss to us all,” District Attorney George Gascón said.
Police were called to the Bank of America executive’s home on Thursday after her son discovered her dead inside her home, local station KCBS-TV reports.
Los Angeles Police said Avan had suffered “trauma to her face,” according to statement obtained by Oxygen.com.
Prosecutors believe Turner, who had also been a coworker of Avan, entered her home on Aug. 3 and left the following day. He was arrested by police the same day her body was discovered.
Police declined to provide Oxygen.com with any additional details about her death.
Avan, a grandmother and mother of two, had reportedly considered taking out restraining order against her former boyfriend before her death, local station KNBC reports.
Her son, Trevon Avan, was in court Monday for Turner’s first court appearance.
“My mom was such a beautiful person, just so loving, if there was anything that you needed from her, she would be there,” he said during a press conference, according to KCBS-TV.
He said the family is now hoping to get justice for her.
“My mom Michelle Avan didn’t even have the opportunity to see her granddaughter turn 2,” he said.
Before her death, Avan served as a senior vice president with Bank of America, where she worked to recruit women and other under-represented employees.
Turner, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, is being held at the Valley jail in Van Nuys on $2 million bond, according to jail records.
