Prominent Black bank executive found dead in her Los Angeles home, colleague arrested

A well-known bank executive was found dead in her Los Angeles home, and a colleague is accused of murder.

Anthony Duwayne Turner, 52, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Michelle Avan, 48, according to ABC 7.

Turner and Avan were colleagues at Bank of America. A motive has not been determined, ABC 7 reported.

Around 7 a.m. Aug. 5, officers responded to the 19300 block of Covello Street after family members were concerned they could not contact Avan, according to NBC 4.

Police say a family member discovered Avan, a mother of two, and recent grandmother, unconscious, NBC 4 reported.

Avan was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives said the victim appeared to have “suffered trauma to her face,” according to NBC 4.

“Michelle was such a bright light in the community,” said Danny Bakewell, Jr., Executive Editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel, according to ABC 7.

For more than 25 years, Avan’s career grew steadily and she was described as a trailblazer, ABC 7 reported.

In 2019, she was selected as one of L.A.'s Influential Black Women Leaders by the Los Angeles Sentinel, according to ABC 7. In June, she accepted a position with Bank of America to attract, hire, retain and develop female and underrepresented talent across the company.

Turner is being held on $2 million bail at the Van Nuys Jail, ABC 7 reported.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the LAPD's Valley Bureau Homicide at (818) 374-9550.