Diana Avera, 22, was last seen in Mount Vernon, Alabama in August of 1982. She vanished after escaping the hospital where she was being treated, and she hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

Background

On May 15, 1960, Diana Avera was born. She has paranoid schizophrenia and was committed involuntarily to a Searcy Hospital a few months before her disappearance.

The Disappearance

Diana Avera was arrested for disorderly conduct on May 21, 1982, and was involuntarily committed to Searcy Hospital in Mount Vernon, Alabama.

Avera has paranoid schizophrenia and received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as well as other therapies during her hospital stay. Her family described her in the hospital as “like a zombie,” barely able to speak or walk.

Avera escaped from the hospital sometime in August 1982. Since then, she has not been seen or heard from.

It was thought that the hospital or law enforcement had reported her missing in 1982, but her family recently discovered that this was not the case. She was officially reported missing in August 2020 after learning that news.

Her family has submitted DNA samples, and her case has been entered into NamUS.

Whereabouts

Diana Leigh Avera’s whereabouts, as well as the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, are unknown. Her case is classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.

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.