The Laurie Depies Disappearance: After Teresa Halbach was killed in 2005 law enforcement investigated & quickly cleared Steven Avery of having any involvement with Depies; but in doing so investigators discovered connections between the missing Depies and Chuck Avery, Steven’s older brother.
I started looking into the Laurie Depies case after recently watching this November 11, 2005, broadcast concerning the Teresa Halbach case (news just broke that Steven was expected to be charged with Teresa's murder). In the video reporters interview civilians at a prayer service for Teresa. Right at the end of the segment a woman outside the church made quite a startling pronouncement concerning Steven Avery and Laurie Depies:
Female Citizen: I -- I think it’s very sad that [Steven Avery] was allowed out of prison, because I would say, people like Laurie Depies and people who have disappeared, I would continue to search his property in case -- if this is the heart of this man, he was capable of committing other murders.
Obviously the citizen was dead wrong in her suspicion. In 1992 (when Depies vanished) Steven was sitting in prison wrongfully convicted of a 1985 sexual assault and attempted murder committed by Gregory Allen. Steven Avery was only released in 2003, a full decade after Depies disappeared. This female citizen ^ should have been more concerned about what Gregory Allen had been getting up to in 1992.
I did what I could to learn of Depies, and then searched the Halbach case files and found two witnesses familiar with the Depies case that both expressed concern to police that Steven Avery's brother, Chuck Avery, might have been involved in Laurie's disappearance. Before I review those investigative reports here is:
A summary of the Laurie Depies Case (and it's brief intersection with the Halbach Case).
Laurie Depies, who lived in Appleton, completed a shift at the Fox Rivers Mall on August 2, 1992, around 10 p.m. and then drove to her boyfriends apartment building in Menasha. Apparently, Depies' boyfriend heard her car arrive (distinctive vehicle sounds) but when she didn't come up to his apartment the boyfriend went to look for Depies only to find her car seemingly abandoned (passenger door open). Police were called, and Depies was reported as missing. The boyfriend has never been considered a suspect (he was waiting for Depies with someone). It appears Laurie simply vanished. There was no sign of an obvious struggle, and no blood spatter suggesting a blunt force attack. It almost seemed like Depies just up and walked away from the vehicle (maybe doing so while at gun point?). Laurie was never found or heard from again and the case went cold.
In 2005 Steven Avery was briefly investigated and quickly cleared of having anything to do with the Depies disappearance. However, in doing so investigators uncovered a tenuous connection between Steven Avery's brother, Chuck, and the missing Depies. During this time (2005-2007) Investigators learned of a pattern of disturbing behavior from Chuck towards female visitors to the Salvage Yard, but for whatever reason, it appears Chuck was never interviewed about his alleged connection to Depies.
In 2010 convicted killer Larry DeWayne Hall confessed to abducting and killing Depies. Notably, investigators failed to recover Depies' body from the location Dewayne identified as the burn / burial site. Nothing was ever found that corroborated the confession or connected DeWayne to the crime, and so he was never charged in relation to Depies' disappearance. Theories have swirled around that DeWayne falsely confessed in order to be moved to a state prison without the dealt penalty. Laurie Depies' mother says she does not believe DeWayne killed her daughter. Laurie's friend, Victoria, feels the same way.
In 2012 the lead investigator retired and the case was transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. Reporters have attempted to elicit comment from the DOJ on the case but were told they had no comment as "this is an active and open investigation." To this day Depies' body has not been recovered, there's been no credible sightings of her, and no charges have been filed against anyone in relation to her disappearance.
Investigator Dedering discovers a tenuous connection between the missing Depies and Chuck Avery
Below I've included excerpts from the CASO Report (the main investigative report from the lead agency on the Halbach case) that contains mention of Laurie Depies. First, I will examine reports of interviews with two men, one who claimed to be familiar with the Depies case, and another who claimed to have been a friend of Depies around the time of her disappearance.
In this first report Investigator Dedering starts off by suddenly recalling that on Dec 27, 2005, he had a phone conversation with a Mr. Schneider in order to discuss the Laurie Depies case. We are not told what it was that caused Dedering to remember the conversation and he doesn't say who Schneider is in relation to Depies, Halbach or Avery.
Whoever Schneider is, here is what he had to say about Chuck Avery and Laurie Depies in Dec of 2005 (CASO Pg. 390):
In the course of reviewing the incident, I (DEDERING) did realize that I had done a telephonic conversation on 12/27/05 but had not dictated it.
MR. SCHNEIDER advised me of the fact that STEVEN AVERY was in prison in 1991 and therefore, could be eliminated as a suspect in the LAURIE DEPIES disappearance. He went on to indicate that he had information that CHUCK AVERY lived not far away from where LAURIE DEPIES lived.
SCHNEIDER went on to indicate that, to his recollection, DEPIES wore her hair in the same manner as "the HALBACH girl."
SCHNEIDER indicated that a subject named KATHY KALIES (deceased since 2002) used to date CHUCK. SCHNEIDER stated KATHY also wore her hair the same as both DEPIES and HALBACH.
SCHNEIDER went on to indicate that he thinks the blood evidence may have been "planted." SCHNEIDER went on to indicate that he believes CHUCK AVERY may have planted the blood evidence.
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I got a strong impression from this report that Mr. Schneider suspected Chuck of being involved in the Depies disappearance. While the bit about the hair styles of Depies, Halbach and Kalies was interesting, I'm more concerned about the claim that Chuck once lived near Depies. What was done with that information? Not much, as it turns out.
Later in that same report Investigator Dedering notes he used "a law enforcement search engine" but it must not have worked very well, because Dedering say he was "unable to determine whether or not CHARLES AVERY had ever lived in Appleton." Notice Dedering isn't at all definitive in his conclusion as he couldn't determine one way or the other if Schneider's claim was accurate. For whatever reason Dedering didn't simply ask Chuck or a member of his family whether or not Chuck ever lived in Appleton.
As we move on to the next report with this next witness note I've chosen to use the witness's first name (Dolan) because his last name is a straight up nightmare.
A former friend of Depies is interviewed and for the first time confides his suspicion about Chuck Avery and Depies to Investigator Baldwin
Calumet Investigator Baldwin interviewed a Mr. Dolan on Feb 22, 2006, to discover "why he was on Steven Avery's visitors list." Dolan explained he and his girlfriend strongly disagreed on whether Avery was guilty or innocent, and one night during a heated debate Dolan simply called the jail and requested to be put on Avery's visitors list, and BAM, the request was granted.
With that line of inquiry settled, Dolan suddenly brought up the possibility that an Avery brother was responsible for the Depies disappearance. (CASO Pg. 432):
After DOLAN explained his intent to visit STEVEN, he questioned me on if an AVERY brother had ever lived by LAURIE DEPIES. I did inform him that has come up through the interviews in this investigation.
I asked DOLAN why he was wondering about that, and he said prior to LAURIE DEPIES going missing he had been a good friend with her and her friend, ANGEL. DOLAN said there was a man that LAURIE always talked about being creepy and always watching her. DOLAN said he'd heard it was one of STEVEN's brothers that lived by LAURIE and was wondering about that.
I asked DOLAN if he ever brought it to the investigators' attention when she did go missing and he said no he did not. DOLAN said approximately two years later, an investigator had contact with him due to his knowledge about the Volkswagen Rabbit that she had owned; however, he never brought this information to the investigator's attention at that time.
Notice Baldwin's interview with Dolan took place months after Dedering's interview with Schneider (so this is also months after Dedering's brief attempt to discover if Chuck lived in Appleton). When Dolan first brought up whether an Avery brother lived near Depies, Baldwin replied "that has come up through the interviews in this investigation." Presumably if Dedering had discovered Chuck did not live near Depies by this point Baldwin would have said so when Dolan asked, in order to quell his suspicion. Instead Baldwin gave a response that seems to imply it was, at the least, still an open question whether or not Chuck did live near Depies. I would even accept anyone who wants to suggest Baldwin's statement sounds like an affirmation.
It does seem more than a little sketchy IMO. Another citizen suggesting an Avery brother might have had something to do with the Depies disappearance? Notably, Dolan says prior to going missing Laurie talked about a man who was always watching her, something she said creeped her out. Anyone who has read the CASO report will know the description "a creepy man always watching" seems to apply to Chuck's conduct with female visitors of the salvage yard.
Below you'll notice excerpts from reports detailing Chuck's pattern of disturbing conduct towards female visitors to the salvage yard. After that I've included excerpts from reports of interviews that tend to inculpate Chuck in the Halbach murder (family, friends, customers). I'm including such reports only for their value in supporting the inference that Chuck might be capable of committing a heinous crime against a young female, if not Teresa Halbach, then perhaps Laurie Depies.
CASO Reports detailing disturbing conduct and unwanted advances by Chuck Avery towards female visitors to Avery Auto Salvage
On November 8, 2005 - the same day highly fragmented human female bones were found in Avery's burn pit - Calumet Investigator Dedering met with a Two Rivers detective about recent statements made by a Ms. Lovora, who indicated she had been to AVERY'S AUTO SALVAGE in the last year, a visit that resulted in her receiving unwanted attention from Chuck (Charles) Avery. (CASO Pg. 159):
Ms. LAVORA indicated that last year after AVERY'S AUTO SALVAGE had performed a recovery or tow for her, CHARLES AVERY began sending herflowers and asking her to go out on dates. She stated she found this particularly disturbing. She stated she did not know CHARLES AVERY prior to this. Ms. LAVORA's statement is as follows:
"I explained to Chuck that I had two vehicles that needed tobe towed. I was told it would be no charge. The next day when I was home Chuck Avery came and towed both vehicles. I thanked Chuck for coming.
"A few days later Chuck Avery called my cell phone. Chuck asked me if I wanted to go out to diner. I said no. Chuck kept telling me he wanted to take me out. I continued saying no. Chuck had called 4-5 times asking me out to diner. Each time I said no.
"After these calls sometime I returned.from work to find a box of candy and a note between my screen door and inner door. The note had Chuck's name and number on it. I later received a message on my cell phone from Chuck. Chuck asked if I got his candy and if I would go out with him. Chuck's messages seemed like he was mad because I was not calling him back.
"About a week later while home I heard my door bell ring. Before opening the door, I looked out my window' and saw Chuck Avery walking away from my door and to his vehicle. I shut my door and locked it. I saw that Chuck had left a long box wrapped in gift paper. When I opened the box I found an envelope inside with a $100 bill.
"The next day I received another voice message on my cell phone. Chuck's message was that by now I should have received his gift and I should spend it on something nice. Over the next 3 weeks, Chuck called me about 6-7 times continuing to ask me out. I was afraid of Avery for his continuing to contact me. I told several co workers about Chuck Avery's actions."
Here we have a female customer of the salvage yard coming forward explaining her experience with Chuck Avery, who was quite clearly harassing this woman. Repeated unwanted calls. Unannounced visits to her home. Unwanted cash gifts. More and more unwanted calls. Asking her out over and over. I have to imagine most if not all woman would feel the same as Levora did - creeped out.
As bad as the Levora statement is, there is one more women who came forward during the investigation into Halbach's disappearance that also had a troubling experience with Chuck Avery. The complaint was made by a Ms. Knutsen, who in July 2005 purchased a part for her intrepid from the Avery Salavage Yard. Knutsen goes on to say (CASO Pg. 160):
"After I purchased the part, my neighbor came to the door and told me that a 'middle-aged man in a older red station wagon, went past my house very slow and took pictures of only my house, from lot line to lot line.'
"On Oct. 17, 2005 my car was on fire outside when notified by a man going by on his bike. The fire put out by my ex husband and neighbor. The car was towed to Peterson's gas station. The Avery's were notified and they retrieved my car.
"On Oct 30, 2005 (one day before Halbach's death) my supervisor gave me a note to call the Avery's to go out to their property, maybe at Oct. 31, 2005 to get my belongings out of my car. I didn't go because I worked O.T. until 3:00 pm than realized I needed to help my son for Halloween (thank god).
"On Wednesday Nov, 2 I called the Avery's to find out about my car and my belongings. Chuck Avery answered the phone. He stated 'he had been to my house on Tuesday Nov 1 between l:00 & 2:00 and he rang the door bell and I wasn't home.' I asked Chuck if he maybe had the wrong house and he said 'No'.
"We talked about my car, then he switched and he asked if 'Iwould go out to dinner with him'. I said 'YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME.'
"On Friday Nov 4, Chuck stopped at my house with my belongings that he sorted from my car (he didn't call to notify me.) I signed over the title to him. As he was leaving he said: "by the way, the offer still stands". He than wished me a "Happy Birthday". I screamed, 'HOW--'"
Oddly, that's where the Knutsen statement cuts off in the CASO report. Presumably she screamed, "HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!?"
Here we have a second female customer of the salvage yard explaining she had a rather disturbing experience with Chuck Avery after having a business interaction with him. Chuck once more was making repeated, unwanted romantic advances, and showing up over and over to a woman's house unannounced! It seems like a bit of a pattern for him. I can't decide which woman should feel more creeped out.
IMO Knutsen was concerned it was Chuck who was seen scoping out her house by a neighbor. If true, it's a new level of creepy. I was also struck how coincidental it was that Chuck requested Knutsen come out to the Salvage property on Oct 31, 2005 - the day Teresa was apparently killed at the property after her services were requested by Steven Avery. "Thank God," Knutsen says. She didn't show up that day because she had to help her son get ready for Halloween.
Let's move on to review additional reports detailing questionable conduct by Chuck that, at the least, reveal acquaintances of Chuck believed him capable of committing a violent crime against a young female.
Wendy Baldwin interviews previous romantic partners of the Avery brothers, all of whom mention questionable conduct by Chuck Avery
CHUCK'S EX - (CASO Pg. 234):
Investigator Baldin interview Donna Avery, Chuck's ex wife of 17 years. Donna notes Chuck was "physical with her at times," and says when they divorced someone had cut her phone lines. Donna says "she knew it was Chuck," although she couldn't prove it. Donna goes on to admit Chuckwould "somehow crawl in through the window and she would wake upwith him standing over her in her bed in the middle of the night."
- I could be wrong, but I'm assuming this is the same ex wife Chuck was charged with assaulting (putting an extension cord around her neck and dragging her) something he didn't contest. I'm also bothered by Donna's claim Chuck cut her phone lines, as such conduct can be a precursor to a violent crime.
STEVEN'S EX - (CASO Pg. 215):
Investigator Baldwin interviews Lori Dassey, who said upon first meeting Chuck, he seemed very calm, but later learned "he had a bad temper." Lori claims to have seen Chuck "rip off refrigerator doors and destroy furniture ... never knowing what would set him off." Lori claimschuck "made sexual advances" toward her while she was pregnant. Lorigoes on to say she has strong suspicions about Steven or Chuck possibly being involved with Teresa's murder.
- Laurie suggests Chuck was impulsive and violent, and made sexual advances towards her while she was pregnant. Amazingly, this is one of the less disturbing statements about Chuck's conduct contained in the CASO report.
EARL'S EX - (CASO Pg. 154-156):
Investigator Baldwin interviews Michelle, an ex girlfriend of Earl Avery. Michelle told police Chuck had been accused of "raping his oldest daughter ... he is very creepy and sneaky." Baldwin notes Michelle recalls Chuck, in 1988, "attempted to force sex on her ... he was smoking a cigar at the time." Although Michelle clarifies she was not raped by Chuck, just intensely pressured, something she "didn't feel very good about." Michelle said Chuck spends most of his time by himself as he doesn't have any friends other than his brother Earl whom he would hunt with or fish with, often around Harpt Lake. Baldwin reports Michelle said "it would not surprise her if Chuck framed Steven" for the murder of Teresa Halbach.
- So Chuck was attempting to rape women in 1988, only four years before Depies disappeared.
CASO Interviews with Family Friends who discuss Chuck Avery's disturbing conduct.
FAMILY FRIEND #1 - (CASO Pg. 338):
- Investigator Wiegert interviews Tammy Weber, a family friend of the Avery's, about her claim that Steven was being set up by police. Although Tammy seemed less sure of Steven's innocence than she initially was, she still told the officer it was her opinion: "If anybody did it, it would be CHUCK."
FAMILY FRIEND #2 - (CASO Pg. 343):
- Investigator Wiegert interviews a family friend of the Avery's, Mrs. Doris, who told Wiegert she thought "if anyone would have done this to the HALBACH girl, it would have been CHUCKIE because he had raped his own wife and has a temper."
Laurie Depies disappeared from Appleton, Wisconsin in 1992 and was never seen or heard from again. No one has ever been charged in relation to her disappearance. Laurie Vanished. There were never any credible reported sightings of her. No one was ever charged with any crime relating to her disappearance. Her body was never found.
When Teresa Halbach's remains were found in Avery's burn pit and the Dassey burn barrel in 2005 police began investigating members of the Avery family to determine if they had any culpability in Teresa's murder. Although Steven Avery was law enforcement's primary suspect in the Halbach case, Chuck Avery emerged as a potential suspect in the Depies disappearance at this time (although Calumet's investigation into Chuck's potential connections to Depies was decidedly subpar).
Chuck allegedly lived near Depies, and friends of Depies were concerned Chuck Avery was the one Depies identified as "creepy" and "always watching her." One witness notes Laurie Depies and Teresa Halbach had the same hair style as Chuck's now deceased girlfriend.
Numerous females describe disturbing harassment from Chuck Avery, including female customers of Avery Auto Salvage who claim he would repeatedly ask them out and even show up at their homes without warning. Family friends claim Chuck has a history of sexually abusing women, including his wife and daughter. Many witnesses claim Chuck was capable of killing Teresa and/or framing Steven.
Given the potential connections between Chuck and Laurie, coupled with the revelation of Chuck's disturbing conduct towards female visitors to the Salvage Yard and the fact that many considered him capable of Teresa's murder, is it possible Chuck was the man creeping Depies out by always watching her? Does all of Chuck's disturbing behavior indicate a possible propensity for committing violent crimes against women? Is Chuck a viable suspect to consider for the Depies disappearance? Is there any way to firmly connect him to the crime?
Source Material:
Previous r/unresolvedmystery threads on Depies - Thread #1 and Thread #2.
Calumet County Investigative Report for Teresa Halbach disappearance (CASO Report).
Defense Denny Motion re: James Kennedy Observations Oct 31, 2005, of a fire towards the pit
Flyover video of Avery property showing the potential destruction of evidence in a burn barrel (Screenshot). Notice an apparent golf cart that was later hit on by cadaver dogs (Exhibit 46, Pg. 5) indicating the scent of human remains or blood.
