Isabel Annie Aves (née Michaelsen) (18 March 1887–15 October 1938) was a New Zealand abortion provider.
Aves provided abortion services from her home in Napier using sea-tangle tents (probably Laminaria digitata seaweed stalks or a local substitute) which, when inserted into the cervical canal, absorbed water and slowly expanded, dilating the cervix and leading to a miscarriage.
[1] Her first trial was in Napier on a charge of "unlawfully using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage", but the jury could not agree on a verdict.
[2][3] Aves was represented by Cyril Harker at the trials in Napier in August 1936, Wellington in October 1936,[4] December 1936 and February 1937.
[8][9] Harker defended Hercock, getting him off on the lesser charge of manslaughter rather than murder[10] and subsequently getting his prison term reduced.