Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey Case Archive

Teresa Halbach, a photographer for Auto Trader, disappeared on October 31, 2005, after a photography appointment at the Avery property. Her Toyota RAV4 was found at Avery Salvage Yard on November 5. The investigation led to murder charges against Steven Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey.

Prosecutors relied on bloodstains, DNA and other physical evidence in Avery's trial. His lawyers disputed the investigation and argued that evidence had been planted or mishandled. Dassey's trial centered on his recorded confessions, which he recanted, and whether physical evidence corroborated them. He testified that he had made up details in his interviews with investigators.

Separate juries convicted both men of first-degree intentional homicide in 2007. Avery was also convicted of firearm possession but acquitted of mutilating a corpse. Dassey was convicted of all three charges against him: homicide, mutilating a corpse and second-degree sexual assault.