Lynn Hartman says that Avery threatened her and her children after she broke up with him.
The woman who was once engaged to Making a Murder subject Steven Avery has told Inside Edition how her concerns about his character led to their split.
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Lynn Hartman told Inside Edition she first contacted Avery after watching the popular Netflix series about his case numerous times.
"Like most people I know, I have watched it seven or eight times," she said. "I felt like I was starting to get to know him because there [are] 10 episodes and they are an hour a piece."
Avery served 18 years in prison for rape and attempted murder before DNA testing exonerated him and he was released from jail. He was later convicted in the slaying of photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005 but the Netflix series cast doubt on his conviction with many people thinking he was framed.
Hartman was so moved by his story that she wrote the 53-year-old a letter of support.
"I just wanted to reach out to him that I was here," she said.
She says she was surprised he got back to her because of the amount of support mail he was getting after the show aired.
Eight months after they connected over the phone, they decided to get married. She even bought a wedding dress, which she currently stores in a room in her home.
Hartman appeared on Dr. Phil earlier this year to discuss women who have relationships with inmates behind bars, and it was what the TV host told her that convinced Hartman she should break it off.
Speaking to Inside Edition, Dr. Phil's advice was: “You don’t have to be in a relationship with somebody. I would rather be healthy alone than be sick with someone else. Let’s be alone for a little while.”
Hartman wrote her fiance a letter that said she could not continue to be involved with him.
"I had to end the relationship because I saw signs that concerned me," she said.
She said Avery did not take the news well, and now she fears for her life. She once worked to help free Avery, but now she hopes he never gets out of jail.
Inside Edition reached out to Avery's attorney but has not received a response.
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