Murder: True Crime Stories

Episode: SOLVED: Missy Avila (Part 1)
Host: Carter Roy
Date: February 10, 2026

Overview

In the first of a two-part series, host Carter Roy delves into the life and tragic murder of 17-year-old Missy Avila, a popular high school student in Los Angeles whose brutal killing in 1985 sent shockwaves through her community. This episode focuses on Missy’s early life, her turbulent friendships—particularly with Karen Severson and Laura Doyle—and the toxic web of jealousy, betrayal, and manipulation that ultimately led to her death. Roy guides listeners through the family’s devastation, the initial investigation, and the behaviors that pointed to a far more personal motive than random violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Jealousy in Adolescence

• Roy opens by exploring the universality of jealousy, especially among teenagers, and the dangers when envy goes unchecked.

  "With hormones running rampant, high school is practically a breeding ground for jealousy." — Carter Roy (00:42)

2. Missy Avila: Early Life and Friendships

• Born February 8, 1968, Missy is described as radiant, popular, and outgoing, both at home and school.
• The pivotal friendship:
  • At 8, Missy meets Karen Severson; Karen immediately fabricates stories to earn Missy’s affection (05:39).
  • Their bond is intense yet fraught with insecurity, especially from Karen, who envies Missy’s popularity and beauty.

3. Toxic Dynamics: Karen and Missy

• Karen secretly undermines Missy, falsely blaming her for rumors, and sabotages Missy’s social life while pretending to be supportive.
  • Example: Karen frames Missy for rumors of promiscuity, causing Missy to be ostracized (06:36).
• Karen’s life spirals after teenage pregnancy, and she becomes more dependent and resentful, while Missy tries to support her (08:05).

4. Friend Group Shifts and Escalating Tensions

• Missy and Karen’s relationship is further complicated by the addition of Laura Doyle, who sometimes feels like a “third wheel” but soon joins Karen in gossiping about Missy (09:36).
• Karen manipulates situations for Missy to be bullied.
• High school rivalries flare as both girls date new boyfriends, which worsens Karen’s insecurities.

5. The Year Leading Up to Missy’s Murder

• Missy is caught in romantic entanglements and school drama:
  • Laura starts dating Missy's ex, Victor, fueling jealousy.
  • Karen orchestrates humiliating and dangerous acts towards Missy, like when she convinces her boyfriend to throw firecrackers at Missy (19:59).
• Arguments and falling-outs intensify, with Karen and Laura both expressing outright threats or making Missy a scapegoat.

6. October 1, 1985: The Day of the Murder

• Laura invites Missy to "talk"; Missy is unsuspecting and enthusiastic, hoping for reconciliation (26:00).
• Laura later calls Missy’s mother, Irene, to concoct a story: three men in a blue Camaro picked up Missy at the park (27:15).
• Irene is deeply worried but hesitates to involve police until the 24-hour mark, eventually reporting Missy missing (28:20).

7. Discovery of the Body and Early Investigation

• On October 4th, hikers find Missy’s body in Angeles National Forest, face down in water, held by a heavy log, and with her hair cut off (30:20).
• Evidence points to murder by at least two people, and possibly female perpetrators—hair cut post-mortem is deemed an act of humiliation, often associated with female-on-female violence.

8. Karen’s Strange Behavior After Missy’s Death

• Karen inserts herself into the Avila family, moving in, wearing Missy’s clothes, advocating for justice but also steering suspicion onto others, particularly Samantha and her own ex (36:10).
• Example of Karen’s manipulations:

  "Karen slept in Missy's bedroom. She wore Missy's clothes around the house. And she gathered the family in the living room every evening to talk about the murder." — Carter Roy (36:10)

9. Karen’s “Psychic” Lead and Distraction Tactics

• Karen stages “investigations,” claims to have psychic feelings at the crime scene, and tries to implicate her ex-boyfriend, Randy, as the killer (39:27).

  “To cap off her monologue, Karen punched a rock dramatically. She told the group that she wouldn't just make Randy pay, she—he should die for what he did.” — Carter Roy (41:05)

• The family and friends are convinced by her performance, unaware of Karen’s deception.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the start of Missy and Karen's friendship:

  "Clearly, Karen had an active imagination and a burning desire for companionship. And Missy was happy to fill that role. Soon, the two girls were inseparable." — Carter Roy (05:39)

• Karen’s chilling manipulation after the murder:

  "Karen smiled to herself. She had done it. She had gotten away with murder." — Carter Roy (41:59)

• On adolescent rivalry:

  "Like Karen before her, Laura started to resent Missy for being so popular with boys and in trying to please everyone, Missy only ended up making more enemies." — Carter Roy (17:57)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:42 | Introduction on jealousy and teen dynamics | | 05:39 | Missy & Karen’s early childhood friendship | | 09:36 | Laura Doyle joins dynamic, bullying worsens | | 17:14 | Spring 1985: shifting friendships, new drama | | 19:59 | Firecracker incident and broken trust | | 26:00 | October 1: Missy leaves with Laura | | 27:15 | Laura’s suspicious phone call to Irene | | 28:20 | Irene reports Missy missing | | 30:20 | Discovery of Missy's body | | 36:10 | Karen moves in, manipulates Avila family | | 39:27 | Karen’s staged crime scene "investigation" | | 41:05 | Karen’s dramatic accusation of Randy | | 41:59 | “Karen smiled to herself. She had done it...”|

Tone & Style

Carter Roy delivers the story with empathy and a steady mix of narrative suspense and psychological insight, consistently emphasizing the very human cost of petty jealousies and manipulation. The tone is invested, sympathetic, and occasionally chilling—befitting the story’s tragic subject matter.

Closing

Part one lays the groundwork for Missy’s murder, positioning listeners to understand the relationships and deep-seated motives at play. The next episode promises to cover the investigation's twists, a major witness revelation, and justice for Missy Avila.

End of Part 1
For updates and further discussion, listeners are invited to follow @crimehouse on Instagram.

Summary prepared for those seeking a concise but thorough understanding of the episode’s narrative, psychological depth, and the harrowing events leading to Missy Avila’s murder and its impact on all involved.