Former television news anchor Angelynn Mock has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers, on Halloween 2025. Mock, 48, admitted to the crime on Friday at their shared Wichita, Kansas, home.
Prosecutors stated Mock faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years under the terms of her plea agreement. The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office announced the plea.
Authorities responded to the home on Oct. 31, 2025, and found Avers with multiple stab wounds. Mock was discovered outside the residence with cuts on her hands and was taken into custody. According to a probable cause affidavit, Mock told investigators that she believed her mother was the devil and that she killed her to "save herself."
Mock, who previously worked as a morning news anchor at KTVI in St. Louis and KOKH in Oklahoma City, was employed in sales at a data management software company at the time of the incident. She stated that she went to her mother's room to discuss an upcoming job interview and found Avers sharpening knives. Mock claimed her mother approached her with a blade, leading to a struggle. She further stated that her mother then uttered, "I know you’re f–king Jesus Christ," and spewed "venom" as Mock attempted to retreat. Mock then recounted grabbing a knife, overpowering her mother, and stabbing her, asserting she had no other option to protect herself.
"I had to kill her, she wasn't going to stop," Mock told investigators, according to the affidavit. Police reported hearing Mock talking to herself upon their arrival, making statements such as, "I’d kill that bitch to have my mom back any day. I don’t even know who she is anymore. I know, I believe she’s the devil."
Officers observed multiple kitchen knives and a cheese grater on a pillow next to Avers' body on the bed. Court documents indicated that the utensils bore bloodstains and the top sheet had at least 12 holes consistent with knife wounds.
Mock's stepfather, Barry Avers, who was at work during the killing, informed investigators that Mock had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had experienced delusions and depression. He noted that Mock was on medication, though he was unaware of the specific type and only assumed she was taking it as prescribed. Barry Avers also mentioned that Mock was prone to angry outbursts but that he had never considered her violent or felt threatened by her. He reported that Mock frequently entered delusional states, describing people as "robots" and "not real people." He also recalled instances where Mock claimed to be spiritual, spoke to God, and at times identified herself as the Anti-Christ, becoming angry when others disbelieved her. On one occasion, she told him, "I could blow everyone up if needed to."
Barry Avers further stated that an explosive outburst years prior had led to police involvement and a two-week stay for Mock in a psychiatric hospital. The most recent such episode he recalled occurred three to four weeks before the killing, during a card game with family members. He described Mock and her mother as having a close relationship, despite typical mother-daughter dynamics.
In January, Judge Jeffrey Goering ruled Mock was not mentally fit to stand trial and ordered her to a state psychiatric hospital for evaluation and treatment, which paused the criminal proceedings. Mock's sentencing is scheduled for October 5.