Steven Avery Update: Can A Fan Prove His Innocence?


Months after the premiere of the famous Netflix documentary Making a Murderer, millions of people across the world are still fighting to help exonerate Steven Avery, who was the centerpiece of the film. While some are internet sleuths who dabble here and there in the case, others have spent countless hours pouring over case files and documents.

ABC WDAY 6 reports that Krystyne Frandson, 45, of Hawley, Minnesota, immerses herself regularly in the Avery case after watching the 10-part docu-series at least six times. She admits she’s obsessed but is fully committed to helping free both Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey. Both remain in prison for the murder of 25-year-old freelance photographer Teresa Halbach.

“Passionate is a good word but probably obsessed, if we’re being honest.”

Like many others, Frandson learned of the case for the first time while watching Making a Murderer, released in December 2015. Yet, Avery has spent the last nine years behind bars for the 2005 death of Halbach. What makes Avery’s story more interesting is that he had already spent 18 years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. He was only free for a few years before Halbach’s remains were found on his property.

Frandson is convinced that Avery didn’t kill Halbach, so much so that she’s determined to help put the real killer behind bars. She began chatting with a fellow internet sleuth on Facebook, and after pouring over the case together, the pair have an idea of who they think the responsible party is.

The alleged suspect was never once questioned by detectives. Frandson took it upon herself to compile 150 pages of documents regarding the person she thinks is responsible. She sent the paperwork over to Avery’s wrongful conviction lawyer, Kathleen Zellner. Frandson indicated that sending Zellner documents and tips is nothing new in the Avery case, as numerous people believe in his innocence and continuously try to help in any way that they can.

“We’re all amateur super sleuths after you watch something like this. You’d be surprised at how many free investigators Kathleen’s got working for her.”

Amateur or not, Frandson’s dedication to the Avery case has been so substantial that actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell began following her on Twitter.

“I’ve got Rosie O’Donnell following me on Twitter because of this, seriously. It’s that far down the rabbit hole.”

Frandson plans to attend June 11 rally in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, for the #WeStand4Innocence project, dedicated to helping free both Avery and Dassey. Manitowoc County is both Avery and Dassey’s hometown, and where they were arrested for Halbach’s murder.

In addition to Manitowoc County, June 11 rallies for Avery and Dassey are scheduled to take place in numerous different locations across the world, including Boston, Dublin, Manchester, Melbourne, New York City, and more.

Last week, Frandson took to Twitter to inform people that Manitowoc County may have plans to impose fees for the rally despite the gathering being a peaceful one to raise awareness. Rally-goers plan to protest at the very courthouse where Avery and Dassey were convicted for Halbach’s murder and ultimately sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The rally may also bring people who believe Avery and Dassey are guilty. For the past several months, some people, including the prosecutors in the cases, pointed out that Making a Murderer left out a lot of vital information that led to the convictions. Regardless, Frandson stated that she knows these people may show up, but her main focus is getting Avery freed.

“I hope he’s freed, and I hope to hell they pay, and I hope to God that they provide him with the mental health services that he’s going to need.”

For more information about the Steven Avery rallies, visit the Facebook discussion page. Membership to the page is private, and you’ll need to request permission to join the group.

[Photo by Morry Gash/AP Images]

Share this article: Steven Avery Update: Can A Fan Prove His Innocence?
More from Inquisitr