Michelle Avan, a noted Bank of America executive, was murdered in her California home on Thursday, August 5, NBC Los Angeles reported.
By August 6, authorities arrested a suspect, Anthony Duwayne Turner, who was a former co-worker of the deceased.
Avan was a senior vice president with Bank of America. Her family summoned the Los Angeles Police Department at around 7 a.m. when they were unable to contact her, reported NBC Los Angeles. Eventually, a family member discovered her unconscious and called the paramedics as well.
Homicide detectives determined that Avan, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had suffered facial trauma.
By Friday afternoon, homicide detectives had arrested a suspect, Anthony Duwayne Turner, on suspicion of Avan’s murder. Turner, 52, is currently being held on $2 million bail and although the specific charge(s) that he was arrested for is not yet clear, it is a felony, according to People.
Michelle Avan was truly a bright spot within the Bank of America organization. In a statement about her death, a BOA spokesperson expressed what a profound loss the company is experiencing.
“We are devastated by the news. Michelle was a valued member of our company for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.”
Avan was known for her dedication to
giving a hand-up to other underrepresented groups in the banking industry. In a 2017 interview with Essence, she spoke about her duty to use her opportunities to help others.
“I have an obligation to do something with all this power and privilege that I have been given,” Avan said. She noted that she was specifically interested in mentoring Black girls; a demographic that is commonly underserved.
In 2019, Avan was selected as one of L.A.’s Influential Black Women Leaders by the Los Angeles Sentinel. She joined Bank of America in June in a role geared toward attracting and retaining female and other underrepresented employees across the company.
Michelle Avan was 48.