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Steven Avery

Steven Allan Avery is an American man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, known for two major criminal cases.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Steven Allan Avery is an American man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, known for two major criminal cases. He was wrongfully convicted in 1985 of sexual assault and attempted murder, exonerated by DNA evidence in 2003, and later convicted in 2007 of murdering photographer Teresa Halbach. His case drew international attention, particularly through the documentary series 'Making a Murderer.'

Early life and 1985 conviction

Steven Avery was born in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, in 1962. In 1985, he was convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder and sentenced to prison, spending 18 years incarcerated.

Exoneration in 2003

Avery was exonerated in 2003 after the Wisconsin Innocence Project obtained DNA testing that excluded him as the source of biological evidence in the 1985 case. He was released after serving 18 years and was formally exonerated.

Teresa Halbach case

Public attention and media coverage

Avery's case attracted wide attention, especially after it was featured in the true-crime documentary series 'Making a Murderer.' The series helped make his legal history widely known outside Wisconsin.

Key facts

  • Avery spent 18 years in prison after a 1985 conviction that was later overturned by DNA evidence.
  • He was formally exonerated in 2003 after DNA testing excluded him as the source of biological evidence.
  • In 2005, he was arrested in connection with the killing of photographer Teresa Halbach.
  • Avery was convicted in 2007 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
  • His case became internationally known through the documentary series 'Making a Murderer.'
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Canadian context

Steven Avery is of interest to Canadian readers mainly because his case became internationally known through global streaming and true-crime coverage, including in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Steven Avery?
Steven Avery is an American from Wisconsin known for a wrongful conviction that was overturned by DNA evidence and for a later murder conviction in the Teresa Halbach case.
What was Steven Avery convicted of in 1985?
He was convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder in 1985.
Why was Steven Avery exonerated?
He was exonerated in 2003 after DNA testing excluded him as the source of biological evidence from the 1985 case.
What happened in the Teresa Halbach case?
Avery was arrested in 2005 and convicted in 2007 of first-degree murder in the death of photographer Teresa Halbach.
What sentence is Steven Avery serving?
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Why is Steven Avery widely known?
He became internationally known through the documentary series 'Making a Murderer,' which focused on his case and the broader justice system issues it raised.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Steven-Avery
    Supports: Birth date, background, wrongful conviction, exoneration, and later murder conviction.
  2. Innocence Project — https://innocenceproject.org/cases/steven-avery/
    Supports: 1985 conviction, DNA-based exoneration in 2003, and details of the wrongful conviction case.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Avery
    Supports: General chronology of Avery's convictions, exoneration, arrest in 2005, and 2007 murder conviction.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_a_Murderer
    Supports: Connection between Avery's case and the documentary series 'Making a Murderer'.