Avery Coplin passed away on May 30, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona. Avery, known for his big dreams and wild streak, had been living in his car, struggling with addiction. His aunt, Alisha Coplin, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, expressing her grief and emphasizing the dangers of addiction.
Alisha described Avery as a character full of crazy ideas and dreams, who unfortunately fell victim to addiction. Despite his struggle, he always spoke fondly of Bethel, where he felt most at home. Alisha is planning a memorial for Avery on August 23rd in Bethel to honor his memory.
Avery’s death has prompted many condolences and expressions of support on social media. Friends and family shared their grief and memories of Avery:
- Sonia Fabbri: "I am so sorry, Alisha. Praying for you now during this painful time."
- Kelly Arno: "I’m so sorry for your loss, Alisha. Lots of love to you & your family."
- Helen Roehl: "Oh, rest in peace to one of the most silliest, funniest, smartest, and loving human beings growing up. I’m so sorry, Ms. Coplin. Sending you so much love."
- Fran Kras: "I’m so sorry you lost your brother to this terrible disease and humbled by your willingness to share his and your story."
In the wake of Avery’s passing, there have been conflicting reports about the handling of his remains. Alisha warned against a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign set up by one of Avery’s friends. She assured everyone that Avery’s remains had already been taken care of.
On the other hand, Lori McDonald, who described herself as Avery’s only friend in Mesa, Arizona, created a fundraiser to cover the costs of Avery’s cremation and to help others battling addiction. Lori shared that Avery struggled with alcohol, fentanyl, and huffing computer duster, which, combined with heat stroke, led to his untimely death.
Lori’s fundraiser aims to send Avery’s ashes to his mother in Ohio and to support addiction recovery programs. However, there has been a dispute as Alisha reportedly took possession of Avery’s ashes, refusing to share them with his mother, Kimberly Mileto.
The community’s response highlights the devastating impact of addiction and the importance of support systems in times of loss. Avery’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and action in addressing addiction and supporting those affected by it.
Note:This post was written and edited by Evelyn Allen, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.