An Aurora man has been sentenced to 48 years in prison for the murder of his 70-year-old mother, Deborah Avery, in June 2021.
Ryan Scott Avery was convicted of second-degree murder after he shot his mother in the face and chest inside their shared home.
The crime has left the family in shock and authorities hopeful that the long sentence will bring some sense of justice and closure.
Murder of Deborah Avery
On June 20, 2021, Deborah Avery was sadly discovered dead in her living room recliner.
Police were called to the location after a concerned family member discovered her dead.
An autopsy revealed that she had been shot three times: twice in the face and once in the chest.
The investigation soon identified her son, Ryan Scott Avery, as the primary suspect.
Authorities quickly discovered that Ryan, 42, had been residing in the same residence as his mother.
It was discovered that Ryan had been outraged after his sister took over their mother's finances, which caused the case to take a personal turn.
This conflict between siblings became a main focus of the investigation, as it looked to be a motivation for the horrific act.
Evidence Leading to Conviction
Investigators found vital evidence linking Ryan to the crime.
A .380 caliber handgun and matching ammunition were discovered in his vehicle.
Although Ryan denied having access to such a weapon, forensic evidence revealed that the ammunition used in the shooting had the identical marks as the bullets found at the crime scene.
Evidence indicated that the murder was not the only incident.
Days after his mother passed away, Ryan used the same firearm for other crimes, such as felony menacing and attempted assault, according to the police.
These additional crimes prompted a statewide hunt for Avery, substantially strengthening the case against him.
Family Betrayal and Motive
Ryan's actions were thought to be motivated by family tension, specifically over his mother's wealth.
Ryan was furious when his sister assumed charge of Deborah Avery's money.
Authorities believe that a money quarrel precipitated the fatal shooting, transforming what should have been a family problem into a horrific act of violence.
District Attorney Joel Zink called Ryan's acts a "profound betrayal" of his own mother.
The terrible nature of the crime stunned many, as a son murdered his own mother in cold blood over a financial disagreement.
Sentencing and Justice for Deborah
In November 2024, Ryan Scott Avery was sentenced to 48 years in prison for his mother's murder.
The sentence was a result of his conviction for second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, and felony menacing.
The case highlighted the thorough work of the Aurora Police Department and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, which helped bring the killer to justice.
Despite the sentence, Deborah’s family continues to grieve.
Authorities hope that the long prison term will offer some closure to Deborah’s loved ones, and serve as a reminder of the consequences of violent actions within families.
