In a disturbing case that has gripped North Carolina, Avantae Deven, 63, has been arrested and charged with the murder of two of her adopted children, Blake and London Deven, who were last seen years ago. The Fayetteville Police Department revealed chilling details about the siblings’ lives, highlighting severe abuse, isolation, and starvation.
Investigation and evidence
Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden announced at a press conference that the investigation has confirmed the deaths of Blake and London. “Our evidence shows that both Blake and London are deceased,” said Chief Braden, adding that Deven abused and ultimately killed them. Blake Deven was last seen in 2017 at age 10, with evidence suggesting he died from starvation and abuse, and his body was burned. During the investigation, police also uncovered the death of London Deven, last seen in 2019.
Discovery of remains
On April 10, Fayetteville police discovered a metal burn barrel containing partial human skeletal remains of two children. One set was confirmed to be London Deven by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The second set of remains, believed to be a boy aged seven to ten, is still undergoing testing.
Charges and court appearance
Deven appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges including two counts of first-degree murder, concealment of death, kidnapping related to London’s death, and felony child abuse related to Blake’s death. She is currently held at the Cumberland County Detention Center with no bond.
The investigation began in November 2023 when officers responded to a mental health call at Deven’s home. The caller, claiming to be Blake Deven’s brother, reported not seeing Blake for at least five years. Investigators later confirmed Blake had been missing since 2017, but Deven did not report him missing until January 2024, falsely claiming he had left for a Buddhist retreat.
Brutal treatment
Lead investigator Sgt. Jeff Locklear described horrific conditions at Deven’s home, where the children were isolated, tortured, and starved. “Blake was abused and starved at the family’s former home until his body could no longer take the inhumane treatment,” Locklear said. Deven then allegedly devised a plan to hide Blake’s remains, forcing another person in the household to participate in dismembering and burning his body.
The investigation revealed that Deven had five adopted children. The three surviving children described severe malnourishment and physical abuse, being confined to small, dark rooms, and having to write hundreds of apology paragraphs to earn food. “There were days we didn’t shower,” said Bryanna Morrow, one of the adopted children. “We had to use pails as restrooms and were beaten if we stole food to survive.”
Additional cases of hidden abuses
This case is part of a broader pattern of unexpected and gruesome discoveries in homes. In February, pest control in Santa Rosa, California, found 700 pounds of acorns in house walls. In May 2023, a new homeowner in Centennial, Colorado, discovered snakes living in her walls.
Blake’s biological mother, Felicia Chandler, expressed her grief and need for closure. “I really just feel like there’s more questions, and I’m waiting for more answers,” Chandler said. Authorities have not disclosed further details about Deven’s three other adopted children, leaving many aspects of this tragic case unresolved.