Jacqueline Avant was reportedly awake during the break-in at her home when she was shot and killed on Dec. 1. The wife of music producer Clarence Avant was killed during a home invasion in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif.
The Avant’s Beverly Hills home was broken into as Clarence Avant was asleep in bed. Mrs. Avant was an early riser and had gotten up sometime after 2 a.m.
The burglar had entered the home after breaking a patio door on a side entrance of the house around the same time. After coming face to face with Mrs. Avant around 2:25 a.m., the burglar shot her. A security guard patrolling the area heard the gunshot and ran to the home where the burglar tried to shoot him as well before fleeing. Mrs. Avant later died at the hospital.
Aariel Maynor, 29, was later arrested and is currently the prime suspect in the death of Mrs. Avant. Police said that Maynor was attempting to rob another house in the Hollywood Hills just an hour after the first burglary when he accidentally shot himself in the foot and was arrested by the LAPD.
Authorities said Maynor shot and killed Mrs. Avant with an AR-15 style firearm. He was charged with attempted murder, murder, two counts of burglary with a person present and a felony firearm charge. Mayor won’t be prosecuted until he has foot surgery.
Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said the evidence against Mayor includes video footage of the break-in and the suspected murder weapon. The AR-15 style rifle was found in Maynor’s possession.
“The evidence thus far shows that only one suspect was involved in the crime and the motive remains under investigation,” said Stainbrook. “Our focus now has transitioned from finding a suspect to a continuing investigation that will lead to a successful prosecution.”
Mr. Avant, also known as The Black Godfather, had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just weeks before his wife’s death. Mrs. Avant was 81-years-old. The couple has two children, Alexander and Nicole.
