The Mysterious Disappearance and Tragic End of Avriel Hooks

True Crime Lounge
4 min readAug 30, 2023

Introduction

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the quiet town of Lynchburg, Virginia, was rocked by the mysterious disappearance and subsequent discovery of the body of 20-year-old Avriel Hooks. The search for Avriel, which spanned several days, ended tragically when her lifeless body was found in a wooded area off U.S. 60 in Amherst County. As the community grapples with shock and grief, authorities have arrested a person of interest in connection with her murder. In this article, we delve into the details surrounding Avriel Hooks’ disappearance, the subsequent search efforts, and the arrest of the suspect.

The Disappearance

Avriel Hooks was last seen on the evening of August 22, 2023, at her home in Lynchburg. Her family became concerned when they hadn’t heard from her the following day and reported her missing to the authorities. As investigators began their search, they discovered an alarming text message sent to Avriel’s mother, Ashley Pittman, the morning after her disappearance. The message, claiming that Avriel wanted some “me time” and was at a friend’s house, raised suspicions among her family members. They knew that this was not characteristic of Avriel’s way of communicating, leaving them deeply concerned for her well-being.

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