The 2026 offseason should have been a celebration for the Terrell family. When the Atlanta Falcons selectedAvieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft on April 24, it brought two Terrell brothers together in the same locker room.
Big brother A.J. Terrell has anchored the Falcons’ secondary since 2020. Now Avieon is expected to step in immediately and play across from him.
Clemson Tigers, Avieon Terrell
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (DB31) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Both are Atlanta natives and Westlake High grads, making the story a perfect hometown arc. But that narrative took a tragic turn this week.
Falcons stars AJ & Avieon Terrell’s aunt dies after blackout driver crashes into her parked car
Around 3:20 p.m. last Wednesday, a fatal crash happened at the Kroger on Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur. The victim was 49-year-old Giselle Perry, the aunt of Atlanta Falcons cornerbacks A.J. and Avieon Terrell.
Aunt of Atlanta Falcons stars AJ and Avieon Terrell killed after driver plows into her car in supermarket parking lot https://t.co/VK9Zvd9ly5 pic.twitter.com/VbwYBRYHlZ
— New York Post (@nypost) May 8, 2026
Both brothers posted tributes on Instagram. A.J.shared a photo saying his heart was heavy, while Avieon posted a video of her cheering at one of his high school games, writing, “You didn’t deserve this.”
Perry was reportedly waiting in her parked car for her mother to finish shopping when a speeding vehicle barreled through the lot. Witnesses said the car hit her with enough force to spin her vehicle and pin it against a concrete post. Reports suggest the driver may have suffered a medical emergency and lost consciousness before the impact. Perry died at the scene.
The collision also pushed Perry’s car onto the sidewalk, hitting a pedestrian and nearly striking two children. Both the driver and the pedestrian were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
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Giselle’s husband, Laddyan Perry, described her as a “loving, caring” person who was his “everything.” They were about to celebrate their fourth anniversary next month. She was a big supporter of her nephews and was looking forward to seeing them play together for the Falcons this season. Nobody saw the fate to come with such a tragic moment.