ASU Student Death, Ava Walters Obituary and Cause of Death: Alabama State Student Dies in Montgomery Homicide

August 25, 2026

The Alabama State University community is mourning the death of Ava Walters, a 20-year-old student from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, whose death at an off-campus university facility in Montgomery is being investigated as a homicide.

Montgomery police have arrested Jalil Bivens, 22, of Fort Lauderdale, and charged him with murder in connection with Walters’ death. Bivens is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility as the investigation continues.

What Happened to Ava Walters?

Montgomery Police Department officers were dispatched at approximately 10:54 a.m. Sunday, August 23, to the 1600 block of Interstate Park Drive after receiving a report concerning a deceased person.

Officers found Walters unresponsive at the location, which has been identified as an off-campus Alabama State University facility used for housing. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities subsequently classified her death as a homicide and arrested Bivens in connection with the case.

Ava Walters Cause of Death

Court documents cited by local news outlets provide additional details about the alleged circumstances of Walters’ death.

According to investigators and the charging documents, Bivens provided a statement to police, and authorities said that statement established probable cause to charge him with murder. Court documents allege that Walters was strangled, although the investigation remains ongoing.

Because the case is still being investigated and the allegations have not been adjudicated in court, the circumstances should be described as allegations contained in court documents rather than established facts.

Who Was Ava Walters?

Walters was a second-year Health Information Management student at Alabama State University.

University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. identified her as being from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and described her death as a tragic loss for the Alabama State community.

Her death has prompted an expression of grief across the university community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, classmates, and others who knew her.

Alabama State University Mourns

Following Walters’ death, Alabama State University President Quinton Ross issued condolences to her family, friends, and classmates.

The university described Walters as one of its students and asked members of the campus community to support one another with compassion during the difficult period.

The university’s response reflects the broader impact of the tragedy, particularly for students and classmates who are now coping with the sudden loss of a fellow student.

Jalil Bivens Charged With Murder

Jalil Bivens, 22, who is also from Fort Lauderdale, was arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Detention Facility on a murder charge.

Authorities have identified him as the person charged in connection with Walters’ death.

Some reports have described Bivens and Walters as being in a dating relationship, based on court documents. However, early police statements did not initially provide details about their relationship, and the precise circumstances leading to the death remain part of the investigation.

The murder charge is an allegation, and Bivens is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Investigation Continues

Montgomery police continue to investigate Walters’ death.

Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, evidence from the off-campus facility, witness accounts, and information contained in the charging documents.

Authorities have not publicly released a motive for the killing.

Additional information could become available as the criminal case progresses and investigators complete their work.

A Community Grieves

Walters’ death has left the Alabama State University community facing a painful loss.

For her classmates and friends, the tragedy means grieving the loss of a young woman whose college years and future were cut short.

For her family in Fort Lauderdale, the loss is even more personal. The university has extended its condolences to her loved ones and asked the wider Hornet community to keep them in their thoughts.

Remembering Ava Walters

Ava Walters was only 20 years old and was pursuing her education in Health Information Management at Alabama State University.

Her life is now being remembered by family, friends, classmates, and members of the university community who knew her.

While the criminal investigation will continue to establish the full circumstances of her death, those closest to Walters are left to mourn the loss of a young woman whose future held many possibilities.

May Ava Walters be remembered with dignity and compassion, and may her family, friends, classmates, and the entire Alabama State University community find strength during this difficult time.

Editor’s note: This article is based on police statements, Alabama State University information, court-document details reported by local news outlets, and reports available as of August 25, 2026. Allegations against Jalil Bivens have not been proven in court. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be added as authorities release verified information.