A Father Gone Too Soon: The Heartbreaking Loss of Don Avery
The Cleveland community is in shock and mourning following the deeply disturbing discovery of 66-year-old Don Avery, who was reported missing and later found dead—wrapped in a sheet and bound—in his own backyard. Avery, a longtime resident of Melrose Avenue, was a father, a friend, and a familiar face to those around him. His sudden and tragic death has left loved ones reeling and demanding answers.
Avery’s daughter, who normally spoke to her father daily, knew something was wrong when she hadn’t heard from him since August 20. Her concerns triggered a welfare check by Cleveland police on Saturday night. But it wasn’t until Sunday evening—after returning to the property herself—that she made the heartbreaking discovery.
Disturbing Crime Scene Uncovered: Shattered Glass, Scattered Items, and a Life Stolen
Upon their first visit to the home, officers noted disturbing signs—a wagon blocking the front door, shattered glass, and a house in disarray. Yet no immediate signs of Avery were found. Despite scanning the property, police reported “nothing unusual” at the time. But what they missed would later prove devastating.
It was Avery’s own daughter who ultimately found her father’s body—bound and wrapped in a sheet in the backyard of the same home officers had inspected just hours earlier. Cleveland EMS arrived and pronounced Don Avery dead at 7:36 p.m. on Sunday.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed they responded to the scene but have not yet officially released the cause and manner of death. The horrific circumstances of Avery’s death have led Cleveland Police to launch a full homicide investigation. No suspects have been confirmed or apprehended as of now, and the community anxiously awaits updates.
Justice for Don: A Family and City Demand Answers
As the investigation unfolds, Avery’s family is grappling with unimaginable grief. To lose a loved one is hard enough—but to find them in such horrific conditions has shaken them to their core. Don Avery was more than a victim; he was a father, a neighbor, and a life taken unjustly.
Now, the city of Cleveland and those who knew Avery seek justice. The unanswered questions, the chilling crime scene, and the delay in discovery have sparked outrage and concern over how the initial investigation was handled.
Anyone with information is urged to come forward as the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate. The community remains hopeful that whoever is responsible for this brutal act will be brought to justice.
Don Avery’s memory lives on through his family, and the community now rallies around them with support and prayers during this unspeakably tragic time.
