Name: Diana Leigh Avera
Age: 22 years old
Last seen: August 1982
Location: Mount Vernon, Alabama
Status: Still missing
Case Information
22 year old Diana Avera was last seen in Mount Vernon, Alabama in August of 1982. She disappeared after escaping from the hospital where she was receiving treatment, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Background
Diana Avera was born on May 15, 1960. She suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, and was involuntarily committed to a Searcy Hospital a few months before her disappearance.
Disappearance
On May 21, 1982, Diana Avera was arrested for disorderly conduct and involuntarily committed to Searcy Hospital in Mount Vernon, Alabama.
Avera suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, and received electroconvulsive treatments, also known as ECT, as well as other therapies during her hospital stay. When her family visited her in the hospital they said she was “like a zombie,” barely able to speak or walk.
Sometime in August of 1982 Avera escaped from the hospital. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
It was believed that the hospital or law enforcement had reported her missing back in 1982, however her family recently found out this was not the case. Upon learning that news, she was officially reported as missing in August of 2020.
Her family has submitted DNA samples, and her case has been entered into NamUS.
Whereabouts
The location of Diana Leigh Avera, as well as the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, remains unknown. Her case is classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White female born on May 15, 1960. Diana has blonde hair, hazel eyes, stands 5’0 – 5’3, and weighs 100 – 120 pounds.
She has a scar on her right thigh.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Diana Avera please contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 581-1181.
Resources & Further Information
Diana Leigh Avera – NamUS
Diana Avera: Missing in Alabama – Facebook
Diana Leigh Avera – The Charley Project
Diana Leigh Avera – The Doe Network
News & Media Links
Letters From Diana: A Family Searches For Their Sister Who Has Been Missing for 40 Years – WKRG
I’m the sister of Diana Leigh Avera, she’s been missing for 41 years. We Desperately Need a break in her case. It has been way to long without knowing Anything. If there is Anything me or my Family can help with, Please let us know. There’s Nothing that’s to small or seem insignificant, that could be just what we need to lead us in the Right direction. WE HAVE “HOPE FOR DIANA’.