Body of a Lynchburg lady was discovered a week after disappearance, a person of interest was questioned
In a somber turn of events that has left the community deeply saddened, the body of Avriel Hooks, a young woman from Lynchburg who had been missing for a week, has been discovered.
The news comes from multiple sources, with the AWARE Foundation playing a pivotal role in reporting the unfortunate discovery. Kenny Jarels, a representative of the foundation, shared with ABC13 that he had spoken directly with Avriel Hooks’ family, emphasizing the personal connection to this heart-wrenching situation.
Close-knit friends of the Hooks family and individuals involved in the search effort also reached out to ABC13 to confirm that Avriel Hooks’ body had indeed been found. The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) was contacted in an attempt to validate this information.
At approximately 4:59 p.m., the LPD issued a statement regarding the events of the day. The LPD had been conducting a thorough search in collaboration with the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office throughout the day in Amherst County, focusing on the location in connection with Avriel Hooks’ disappearance. Tragically, during the course of this search, law enforcement uncovered a deceased individual within the county.
The identity of the person has not yet been officially confirmed by the authorities. However, both the AWARE Foundation and the family of Avriel Hooks believe that the found body is hers. The emotional toll this discovery takes on the family and community is immeasurable.
Additionally, on the same day, a person of interest linked to Avriel Hooks’ disappearance was located in Lynchburg, specifically in the 1400 block of Garfield Avenue. This individual is currently being questioned by law enforcement. As of now, no arrests have been made, leaving the situation even more complex and unsettling.
Images and videos from the scene at Garfield Avenue portray a significant presence of law enforcement and emergency responders, with the area cordoned off and even a tow truck on the scene. Strikingly, officers joined volunteers in the search efforts, reflecting the deep concern and commitment of the entire community to finding Avriel Hooks.
On a poignant note, a group of nearly twenty volunteers gathered at the intersection of Fort and McKinney Avenues to comb through the woods near the location where Avriel Hooks resided on Gates Street. One of the organizers of this search, Bee Rose, shared heartfelt sentiments about the community’s dedication to finding her. She spoke as both a mother and a concerned member of the community, underlining the empathy that fueled the search.
This, however, wasn’t the sole search endeavor conducted for Avriel Hooks. In the days leading up to this tragic discovery, LPD detectives, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, had scoured an area in Lynchburg that Avriel frequented. Detectives had also engaged in conversations with individuals who were in regular communication with her, trying to piece together her whereabouts.
The timeline of events reveals that Avriel Hooks was last seen on the evening of Tuesday, August 22, around 8 p.m. Her family reported her missing the following day, on Wednesday, August 23. An unsettling text message sent to her mother, Ashley Pittman, around 6 a.m. on the day she disappeared raised suspicions. The message suggested that Avriel was at a friend’s house and needed some personal time, a manner of communication that didn’t align with her usual behavior. When Ashley Pittman visited Avriel’s residence later that day, she found the door unlocked and the lights on, but her daughter was nowhere to be found.
The situation was made even more distressing by the fact that Avriel Hooks had a five-month-old son, whom her family asserts she would never voluntarily leave behind. Her sister, Lydia Page, passionately emphasized that Avriel cherished her role as a mother and would never willingly abandon her child. The deep bond between Avriel and her son was undeniable, and her family attested to her unwavering dedication to her child’s wellbeing.
The family, united in their grief, plans to hold a prayer service at their residence on Florida Avenue. This somber gathering will take place on Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m. It is a poignant reminder of the impact Avriel Hooks had on those around her, and a testament to the strength of a community coming together in the face of tragedy. The loss of Avriel Hooks has left an indelible mark on Lynchburg and its people, prompting reflection on the value of community, empathy, and the importance of holding loved ones close.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
