In the late summer of 2022, a 16-year-old male named Blake Devon was last seen in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The exact date of his disappearance is noted as August 1, 2022. However, he was not officially reported as a missing person until January 19, 2024. The report was made by his adoptive mother, Avantae Deven, who informed authorities that Blake had told her he was going to a Buddhist retreat and never returned.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were immediately considered unusual by law enforcement, due to the significant delay in reporting him missing.
The investigation into Blake's disappearance quickly revealed a more complex and disturbing situation. Authorities learned that another adopted child in the Deven household, London Deven, had also been missing for an extended period, since 2019. This discovery prompted a wider investigation into the Deven family, with the FBI joining the Fayetteville Police Department. Searches were conducted at multiple locations connected to the family, including their former residence on Berriedale Drive. In April 2024, partial skeletal remains were discovered, although their identity could not be immediately confirmed.
Tragically, the investigation confirmed the worst fears. Law enforcement announced that both Blake and London Deven were deceased. The investigation uncovered that the children had been subjected to horrific abuse, neglect, and starvation. In June 2024, Avantae Deven was arrested and charged with the murders of both Blake and London. Further investigation revealed that Blake's body had been dismembered and burned in an attempt to conceal the crime. One of the other adopted children in the home was reportedly forced to participate in this act. The case brought to light a deeply troubling history of abuse within the adoptive home, leading to a tragic end for two vulnerable individuals.Last Seen: Aug 1, 2022
