Allan Avery was the father of Steven Avery, whose Wisconsin criminal cases became widely known through the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer. Allan largely remained outside public life, but court records and reporting describe him as a longtime owner of Avery Auto Salvage in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and as a parent who supported his family during years of intense public attention.
News reports published on October 24, 2026, said Allan had died the previous day. The report attributed the announcement to Kathleen Zellner, Steven Avery’s attorney, who described Allan as his son’s strong supporter. A fuller public biography, including confirmed details about Allan’s early life and career, is not readily available.
Allan Avery: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Allan K. Avery |
| Known for | Father of Steven Avery and owner of the family’s auto salvage business |
| Location | Manitowoc County, Wisconsin |
| Wife | Dolores Avery, who died in 2021 |
| Children | Public records identify four children, including Steven Avery |
| Reported date of death | October 23, 2026 |
| Public profile | Limited; most coverage relates to his family and the salvage yard |
Family and Life in Wisconsin
Allan and Dolores Avery lived in the Two Rivers area of Wisconsin. A 2006 Milwaukee Magazine feature reported that Allan entered the salvage business in 1965 and, with Dolores caring for their children, developed the family operation from a 40-acre farm into a large auto salvage yard.
Dolores Avery’s published obituary says the couple married on March 13, 1954, and were married for 67 years. She died on July 8, 2021, at age 83. The obituary identifies four children: Charles, Steven, Barbara and Earl. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals also described Allan and Dolores as owners of the 40-acre property where Avery Auto Salvage operated.
Avery Auto Salvage
The salvage yard was both a family business and a place where several Avery relatives lived or worked. In its 2011 opinion concerning Steven Avery’s conviction, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals said Allan and Dolores owned the property. Their sons Charles and Steven lived there and worked at the salvage yard, while another son, Earl, also worked in the business.
The court record is a useful source for Allan’s connection to the property, but it is not a complete biography. It describes the site because it was relevant to a criminal case; it does not provide a detailed account of Allan’s personal history, beliefs or day-to-day work.
Milwaukee Magazine reported that Allan started in the salvage business in 1965. The work involved collecting and processing vehicles and salvage parts, and the business became closely associated with the Avery family name. Beyond these reported details, extensive independent information about his career is limited.
Connection to Steven Avery’s Case
Allan became known to a wider audience because of the legal cases involving his son. Steven Avery was exonerated in 2003 after DNA evidence excluded him from a 1985 sexual assault. He was later convicted in a separate case: a jury found him guilty in 2007 of the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. Steven Avery has continued to challenge that conviction, which remains in place.
Allan and Dolores appeared in Making a Murderer, which followed the two cases and brought national attention to the family. The documentary is a selected account of the proceedings, not a substitute for court records. Allan’s role in public coverage was mainly as a parent and family supporter rather than as a public commentator or legal professional.
Death Report
On October 24, 2026, a news report attributed to Zellner’s public statement said Allan Avery had died the day before. The statement described him as Steven’s steadfast supporter. At the time of writing, the report did not provide a cause of death, funeral details or additional information about his final days. Those details should not be guessed or repeated unless the family or a reliable source confirms them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Allan Avery?
Allan Avery was a Wisconsin resident, the father of Steven Avery, and an owner of the property where the family’s Avery Auto Salvage business operated.
Was Allan Avery connected to Avery Auto Salvage?
Yes. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals identified Allan and Dolores Avery as owners of the 40-acre property. A Milwaukee Magazine profile reported that Allan entered the salvage business in 1965.
Who was Allan Avery’s wife?
His wife was Dolores Avery. Her obituary records that they married in 1954 and shared 67 years of marriage before her death in 2021.
How many children did Allan Avery have?
Dolores Avery’s obituary identifies four children: Charles, Steven, Barbara and Earl.
When did Allan Avery die?
A report published October 24, 2026, said Allan died the previous day, October 23. The report attributed the announcement to attorney Kathleen Zellner.
What was Allan Avery’s age?
A Wisconsin court document lists Allan K. Avery’s date of birth as May 3, 1937. If that date is accurate, he was 89 when he died in October 2026.
Final Word
Allan Avery’s public story is closely tied to his family and the salvage yard they owned and operated in Wisconsin. Court records establish his connection to the property, while local reporting provides some background on the business and his long marriage to Dolores. Beyond that, reliable biographical details are sparse.
Recent reports say Allan died on October 23, 2026, and describe him as a devoted supporter of his son. A respectful account should stick to those confirmed facts and avoid inventing personal details that have not been made public.