In a harrowing case that has captivated the nation, Blake Scandlin, 22, was found guilty of brutally murdering his girlfriend, Alexis Avery, a young mother, in January 2019. The case, which highlights the dangers of jealousy and possessiveness, has left a community mourning the loss of a vibrant young woman with a promising future.
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of January 13, 2019, when police were called to a residence in Westfield, Massachusetts, after Scandlin made a chilling 911 call confessing to the murder of Avery. Officers arrived to find her lifeless body lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen, alongside a bloody knife on the counter. Scandlin, who had initially attempted to portray himself as a victim, admitted to stabbing Avery 28 times, revealing a dark and violent turn of events that followed a seemingly ordinary night out.
Avery, just 20 years old and a devoted mother to her infant daughter, had gone out for a girls’ night with her cousin on January 11, 2019, after ending her tumultuous relationship with Scandlin. The evening, intended for fun and laughter, took a tragic turn when Scandlin showed up uninvited at the bar where Avery was socializing with a coworker, Scott Burns. Witnesses described how Scandlin’s jealousy escalated throughout the night, culminating in a confrontation that would lead to the deadly attack.
As the trial unfolded, prosecutors painted a picture of Scandlin as a possessive and obsessive individual whose delusions of infidelity drove him to commit the unthinkable act. The defense attempted to argue that Scandlin was overwhelmed by love, but the jury ultimately found him guilty of first-degree murder after hearing harrowing testimony from Avery’s family and friends.
During the victim impact statements, Avery’s mother expressed the profound pain and loss the family has endured since that fateful night. “Every day I wake up and for a split second, I feel the hope and inspiration that a new day could bring. And then the reality of our lives hits me,” she lamented, highlighting the deep scars left by the loss of her daughter. Avery’s family shared fond memories of her, emphasizing her kindness and the bright future that was tragically cut short.
In a shocking twist, while awaiting trial, Scandlin allegedly attempted to hire an inmate to kill the lead prosecutor on his case, further complicating the proceedings and reflecting his desperate attempts to manipulate the situation. Despite his claims of love, the evidence presented during the trial painted a different narrative: one of rage and control that culminated in a heinous crime.
On January 26, 2024, after a brief deliberation, the jury delivered their verdict: Scandlin would spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. The emotional toll of the verdict resonated deeply, not only with Avery’s loved ones but also with the broader community that had rallied around her story.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when jealousy and possessiveness are left unchecked. As the community continues to heal, Alexis Avery’s memory lives on through her daughter, while her family remains committed to advocating for her legacy. “We are not done telling her story. Alexis will not be forgotten,” her mother vowed, underscoring the enduring impact of this tragedy.