Who was Avriel Hooks? Virginia woman's body found one week after she went missing, husband arrested as suspect
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA: The body of the missing Virginia woman, Avriel Hooks, has been discovered by the Amherst Police. The 20-year-old mother-of-one, described as a "devoted" mother and wife, was last seen in her home in Lynchburg on August 22 at around 8 pm.
The police have also arrested her husband Michael L. Perry III as the prime suspect and charged him with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of a dead body.
Hooks' mother, Ashely Pittman, had previously said that she received a text from Hooks’ number around 6 am on the morning following her disappearance.
The text read she went to a friend’s house and she wanted some “me time.” However, her mother said the text “didn't sound like her,” per Daily Mail.
Hooks’ family became suspicious of the style of writing as it did not match her usual texting style.
After receiving the text message, her mother went Hooks’ home, only to find the door unlocked with lights on, and her daughter missing.
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Avriel Hooks’ sister said her baby ‘mattered to her’ the most
Hooks has been a devoted mother said her sister Lydia Page to ABC affiliate WSET. Hooks, in her Instagram bio, also described herself as “Michael’s wife”.
Lydia said to the news outlet that Hooks was a mother to a five-month-old baby and could never stay away from him, remarking, “She would never let that baby out of her sight at all.”
Hooks’ sister continued, “She would hold that baby, she held that baby constantly. He had the stuff he needed, that's all that mattered to her. She could care less about herself.”
Where was Avriel Hooks’ body found?
After the mother-of-one was reported missing, a massive search party started looking for her. The Lynchburg Police Department, Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations came forward to assist in the search operation.
Many citizen searchers also joined the party. Search party organizer Bee Rose said, “We have someone missing in our community. You know, I’m a mother, and I can’t imagine what it would feel like to not know where your child is,” per WSET.
She continued, “And just sitting still when we could be doing something. We’re all just gonna kinda search until we get too tired to search anymore.”
On Sunday, August 27, LPD Detectives with help from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, searched those areas that Hooks frequently traveled to.
Her body was found on Tuesday, August 29, in a forested area off US 60 Lexington Turnpike in Amherst, per police.
Who was arrested for Avriel Hooks’ death?
On Tuesday, police said, “Your Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) arrested Michael L. Perry III (21) of Lynchburg, after he was detained earlier today in connection with the murder of Avriel Hooks.”
Michael L. Perry III was taken to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail where he is charged with "murder in the second degree and unlawful disposal of a dead body." The bond amount has not been assigned for him.
The police statement added, “LPD Detectives worked tirelessly over the past week, utilizing all available investigative resources and partnered with Hooks’ family, our community, local, state, and federal partners with hopes of locating Hooks safely.”
“Following the extensive search earlier today in Amherst County in partnership with the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), a body was located in a wooded area off U.S. 60 (Lexington Turnpike), Amherst, VA,” said the police.