Steven Avery
Steven Avery, an American previously convicted of attempted murder and sexual assault in 1985, was erroneously sentenced to 32 years in prison. Despite serving 18 years, he was eventually released in 2003 when DNA tests proved his innocence. Unfortunately, he faced murder charges just two years later and is currently serving a life sentence at the Waupun Correctional Institute.
Quick Facts of Steven Avery
Full Name: Steven Allan Avery
Celebrated Name/Nick Name: Steve Avery
Place of Birth: Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States
Date of Birth: July 9, 1962
Age: 60 years old
Height:
In Centimeters: 185 cm
In Feet and Inches: 6′ 0″
Weight:
In Kilograms: 98 Kg
In Pounds: 216 lbs.
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Light brown
Parents:
Father: Allan Avery
Mother: Dolores Avery
Siblings: Chuck, Barb, and Earl
Education:
School: N/A
College: N/A
Religion: Christian
Nationality: American
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Marital Status: Divorced
Wife/Spouse: Lori Dassey (1982-1988)
Children: Bill, Jenny, Steven Avery Jnr., and Rachel Avery
Profession: Convicted murderer
Net Worth: $500 thousand
How much is Steve Avery Net Worth, Salary?
In 2023, Steven Avery’s net worth is reported to be $500 million. Despite having no known employment history, his wealth stems from a settlement received in a wrongful conviction lawsuit against Manitowoc County. Initially seeking $36 million in compensation, he was awarded only $400,000.
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence, Avery had previously faced a wrongful conviction for attempted murder, leading to a 32-year prison sentence. Subsequent DNA testing proved his innocence, resulting in his release after 18 years. His case sparked widespread debate, with some asserting that he was wrongfully labeled a murderer due to the initial miscarriage of justice.
Early Life and Biography
Born on July 9, 1962, in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, Avery first entered the world into the family of Dolores and Allan Avery. He has three siblings—Barb, Earl, and Chuck. The Averys have owned a 40-acre parcel of land in rural Gibson, Wisconsin, since 1965, utilizing it for their salvage yard operations.
Age, Height, Weight and Body Measurement
Born on July 9, 1962, Avery is currently 60 years old in 2023. Standing at a height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighing 216 pounds (98 kilograms), he maintains a substantial physical presence.
Education
During Steven’s school years, he attended public schools in Manitowoc and Mishicot. His mother noted that he was enrolled in a slower-paced elementary school due to his slower and distinct learning style compared to his peers. In court, one of his attorneys testified that he had an IQ of 70 and faced challenges functioning in a traditional school environment.
Personal life: Dating, Wife and Kids
Despite being a convicted killer, Avery is a married man and a father. On July 24, 1982, he tied the knot with Lori Mathiesen. The couple, deeply in love, welcomed four children into their lives—Steven, Will, Rachel, and Will.
Before their marriage, Lori was already a single mother with children from previous relationships. However, the strain of Avery’s arrest and conviction in 1985 became too much for their relationship, leading to their divorce in 1988. Avery’s criminal history includes a burglary conviction at the age of 18, resulting in a two-year prison sentence.
Additionally, he faced legal consequences for an incident involving the pouring of oil and gas on his cat, leading to its death, which resulted in a one-year prison term. Furthermore, in January 1985, Avery received a six-year prison sentence for threatening to kill his cousin with a gun.
Steven Avery Convictions
YEAR – 1981
At the age of 18 in 1981, Steven Avery faced charges of burglary for attempting to break into a bar with a friend. Subsequently, he received a two-year prison sentence but was released after serving ten months, owing to probation.
YEAR – 1982
Towards the close of 1982, Steven Avery was found guilty of animal cruelty, a case that emerged when two individuals admitted to throwing a cat into a bonfire, observing its burning demise. They alleged that Steven Avery had contributed by pouring oil and gas onto the bonfire. Consequently, he remained incarcerated until August 1983. Reflecting on this incident, Steven Avery acknowledged committing these acts at a young age, attributing his actions to negative influences from people around him.
YEAR – 1985
In January 1982, Steven Avery intercepted his cousin’s car, brandishing a gun and issuing death threats. He rationalized his behavior by asserting that he aimed to halt false rumors she was allegedly spreading about him engaging in public indecency. Steven Avery received a six-year prison sentence for unauthorized firearm possession and endangering safety with a depraved mind.
Wrongful Attempted Sexual Assault Conviction
Penny Beernsten, a woman from Michigan, fell victim to a brutal assault while jogging on a beach in 1985. Despite Avery being 40 miles away from the crime scene with 16 alibi witnesses during his deaf year, he was wrongly identified as the assailant by Beernsten from a photo lineup. Consequently, Avery was convicted and sentenced to 32 years in prison.
After serving 18 years, DNA testing conclusively proved Gregory Allen as the true perpetrator, leading to Avery’s exoneration on September 11, 2003. Following his release, he sued Manitowoc County and former sheriff Thomas Kocourek, seeking $36 million in damages. However, due to subsequent murder charges, Avery only received $400,000.
The disappearance of photographer Teresa Halbach on October 31, 2005, following a meeting with Avery at his home, marked a grim turn of events. Halbach’s car, stained with blood matching Steven’s DNA, was found at a salvage yard. In November, Avery was arrested and accused of murder and sexual assault. A year later, his nephew Brendan Dassey admitted to assisting Avery in the killing and disposal of Halbach’s body.
On March 18, 2007, Avery was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release. Initially housed at the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility, he later moved to the Waupun Correctional Institution after spending five years at the former.
Professional Life of Steven Avery
Regarding Avery’s professional history, it is non-existent since he has spent the majority of his adult life incarcerated in different prisons.
Awards and Achievements
Due to Steve’s lack of a career, he is ineligible for any awards. Nonetheless, his story of being falsely accused of attempted murder and sexual assault, followed by a murder conviction, served as the inspiration for the Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer.”
Murder Of Teresa Halbach
Where is Steve Avery now?
Despite Steven Avery being convicted of the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005, Zellner informed Today FM’s Tova O’Brien on Friday that she possesses evidence demonstrating his innocence.
During the interview, O’Brien asked Zellner about the additional material she acquired after filing a motion for a new trial.
Zellner responded, “For the first time, we have a witness.” She conveyed to O’Brien that, according to an unaffiliated eyewitness, Teresa Halbach’s car was moved onto the property after her disappearance by another member of the Dassey family who was living there at the time.
FAQs
1. What were the first legal troubles of Steven Avery?
In his earlier years, Steven Avery encountered legal issues, including a conviction for burglarizing a bar, which resulted in a 10-month jail sentence. Subsequently, he faced another conviction for animal cruelty, wherein he took the lives of several animals by dousing a cat in gasoline and throwing it into a fire.
2. How rich is Steven Avery?
Despite his criminal status, Steven Avery possesses a net worth of $500 million. The significant source of his wealth is the settlement he received for being wrongfully convicted, specifically from Manitowoc County. Originally seeking $36 million in compensation, he ultimately received $400,000.
3. What is the educational background of Steven Avery?
Steven concluded his early education in Manitowoc and Mishicot, attending public schools in the process. It is reported that he did not excel academically, displaying a significantly lower IQ compared to his peers.
4. Is Steven Avery married?
Despite being a convicted killer, Steven Avery is married and has children. He wed Lori Mathiesen in 1982, and the couple had four children together. However, they later divorced in 1988.