5 Shocking Facts About Steven Avery's Father, Allan Avery: Is He Still Alive In 2025?

Jan 09, 2026 • minute read

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The question of whether Steven Avery's father, Allan Avery, is still alive is one of the most frequently asked updates by fans of the Netflix docuseries Making a Murderer. As of late 2025, the definitive and most current answer is yes: Allan Avery is alive and continues to be a steadfast supporter of his son, Steven Avery, who remains incarcerated in a Wisconsin prison. Allan's life, however, has been irrevocably altered by a major family loss that occurred since the last season of the documentary, a tragedy that has placed the weight of the ongoing legal battle squarely on his shoulders.

The intense public interest in the Steven Avery case has led to a constant stream of rumors and misinformation, particularly concerning the health and status of the Avery family patriarch. Given the passage of time since the original 2005 murder case of Teresa Halbach and the subsequent 2007 conviction, it is understandable that viewers seek the latest information on the man who co-owned the infamous Avery Salvage Yard. This in-depth look provides the freshest details, clarifying the confusion and detailing Allan's current life as the legal fight for Steven's freedom continues.

Allan Avery's Biography and Role in the Steven Avery Case

Allan Avery, often referred to as Al, is more than just a figure in a true-crime documentary; he is the patriarch of the large, working-class Avery family from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. His life and business are intrinsically linked to the central location of the tragic events: the family's auto salvage yard.

Key Biographical Details

Full Name: Allan Avery (also cited as Allen Avery)
Spouse: Dolores Avery (Deceased)
Marriage Date: March 13, 1954
Children: Steven Avery, Chuck Avery, Earl Avery, Barb Janda, and others.
Business: Co-owner and operator of Avery Auto Salvage (or Avery Salvage Yard) in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
Role in Case: Steven Avery's primary defender and supporter; a key interview subject in the Making a Murderer series.

The Patriarch of the Salvage Yard

Allan and his wife, Dolores Avery, spent decades building and running the Avery Salvage Yard, a family business located on a sprawling property in a rural area. This yard and the adjacent family homes became the center of the investigation into the 2005 disappearance and murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. The property itself is considered one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the entire case, with law enforcement from the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department and the Calumet County Sheriff's Department conducting extensive searches on the premises.

A Figure of Unwavering Support

From the moment Steven Avery was wrongfully convicted in 1985 for the sexual assault of Penny Beerntsen, Allan and Dolores stood by their son. This decades-long loyalty was magnified when Steven was exonerated in 2003, only to be arrested again in 2005 for the Halbach murder. Throughout the entire ordeal, Allan has been portrayed as a quiet, hardworking man, deeply affected by the legal system's repeated involvement with his son. His statements in the documentary often reinforced the family's belief that Steven was being framed by local law enforcement.

Allan Avery was also a vocal critic of the handling of the Brendan Dassey case, Steven's nephew, who was also convicted in connection with the murder. Allan's outrage over the alleged coercion of Brendan's confession was a powerful moment in the series, highlighting the family's deep-seated distrust of the investigators and the local justice system.

The Definitive Answer: Allan Avery's Current Status and Dolores' Passing

In the years following the release of Making a Murderer, a significant amount of online speculation has emerged regarding the status of Steven Avery's parents. The core question, "Is Steven Avery's dad still alive?" has a clear answer, but it must be addressed alongside the news of his wife's death, which is a major update for the Avery family.

Allan Avery is Still Alive in 2025

As of the most recent public reports and family updates, Allan Avery is still alive. He continues to reside in the Two Rivers area of Wisconsin, likely still on or near the property of the Avery Salvage Yard, though the business itself has undergone changes and scrutiny since the events of 2005. His current life is one of quiet determination, focused on supporting the ongoing legal efforts led by Steven's current attorney, Kathleen Zellner.

The Tragic Loss of Dolores Avery

The biggest and most heartbreaking development for the Avery family in recent years was the death of Steven's mother and Allan's wife of 67 years, Dolores Avery. Dolores passed away on July 8, 2021, at the age of 83. Her death was a profound blow to the family and to Steven, who was not allowed to attend her funeral due to his incarceration. Dolores was a central, loving, and vocal figure in the fight for her son's freedom, often giving interviews and maintaining a public presence to advocate for him.

The loss of his wife, Dolores, means Allan Avery is now navigating the complex and draining legal battle as a widower. This fact is critical for understanding the current state of the Avery family and the emotional toll the case continues to take on the remaining members.

Addressing the Confusion Over Obituaries

Online searches for "Allan Avery death" often bring up obituaries for other individuals with the same or similar names, such as an Allan E. Avery who died in 2018 or an Allan J. Avery Sr. who died in 2023, neither of whom are Steven Avery's father. This confusion is common with public figures and has fueled the rumors of his passing. It is important to confirm that Steven Avery's father is the Allan Avery from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and he remains alive and well.

Allan Avery's Unwavering Support and the Future of the Case

Allan Avery's continued presence is a pillar of strength for Steven, who has been working with his legal team, led by Kathleen Zellner, on new appeals for years. The case continues to generate new evidence and legal filings, keeping the spotlight on the original investigation and the actions of the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department.

The Ongoing Legal Battle

Steven Avery's case is far from closed. Attorney Kathleen Zellner has filed numerous motions and appeals, often introducing new theories and evidence, including claims related to DNA evidence, electronic evidence, and the potential involvement of other individuals. The core of the defense strategy is to prove that Steven Avery was framed, a belief Allan and Dolores have held since the beginning of the Halbach murder investigation.

Allan's role now involves supporting his children and grandchildren, including Bobby Dassey and Scott Tadych, as they deal with the continued public scrutiny. The family's persistence in the face of overwhelming odds is largely a reflection of the foundation built by Allan and his late wife, Dolores.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords in the Case

The complexity of the Steven Avery case involves numerous key entities and concepts that are part of the ongoing discussion:

Teresa Halbach: The victim whose murder is at the center of the case.
Brendan Dassey: Steven Avery's nephew, convicted as an accomplice, whose controversial interrogation and conviction are a major focus of the docuseries and subsequent appeals.
Kathleen Zellner: Steven Avery's high-profile post-conviction attorney, known for her aggressive and scientific approach to exoneration cases.
Manitowoc County: The location of the crime and the center of the controversy regarding the handling of the investigation.
The Rav4: Teresa Halbach's vehicle, the discovery of which on the Avery Salvage Yard property was a critical turning point in the investigation.
DNA Evidence: The main focus of Zellner's appeals, attempting to prove contamination or misidentification.
Wrongful Conviction: The central theme of Steven Avery's life, having been exonerated once before.

Allan Avery's continued life and support represent the enduring hope of the Avery family for a legal breakthrough. Despite the passing of Dolores and the decades of legal turmoil, Allan remains a symbol of the family's fight against the perceived injustices of the Wisconsin legal system. His health and well-being are a constant concern for those following the case, as he is one of the last remaining direct links to the family's life before the tragedy of 2005.

5 Shocking Facts About Steven Avery's Father, Allan Avery: Is He Still Alive in 2025?

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