Watch CBS News

Suspect Anthony Turner Arrested In Murder Of Banking Executive Michelle Avan In Reseda

RESEDA (CBSLA) — A suspect was in custody Friday on suspicion of murder stemming from the death of a prominent banking executive inside her Reseda home.

Anthony Duwayne Turner, 52, was arrested around 3:35 p.m. near the 8800 block of Airlane Avenue.

Around 7 a.m. on Thursday, West Valley Patrol officers responded to a death investigation near the 19300 block of Covello Street after 48-year-old Michelle Avan's family members became concerned when they could not contact her.

A family member made the discovery and notified police and paramedics.

Upon arrival, officers located Avan inside the residence, unresponsive. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and she was pronounced dead.

Valley Bureau Homicide Detectives were investigating. The exact cause was not immediately known however, Avan appeared to have suffered trauma to her face.

Avan was a senior vice president with Bank of America, working to recruit women and under-represented employees globally. She was profiled by Essence magazine in 2017.

"She was a very prominent banker and a very successful lady that's respectful," said her neighbor Anthony Posada. "

Avan was also a sponsor and big supporter of the Taste of Soul festival put on by the Los Angeles Sentinel.

Community leader and Sentinel executive publisher Danny Bakewell said, "Michelle was a dear friend and dedicated warrior for our community, and a dear friend to me and my entire family."

"This news is just devastating," he said.

Turner is being held on $2 million bail.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.