Angelynn Mock, a former local Fox news anchor, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers. Mock confessed to the crime, which occurred on Halloween 2025 at Avers' home in Wichita, Kansas.
Authorities found Avers unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds to her face and torso. Four kitchen knives and a cheese grater, all bearing blood, were discovered on a pillow next to the victim. Mock, 48, called 911 herself, stating that her mother had attempted to kill her, prompting her to retaliate. When police arrived, they found Mock outside the residence with a towel wrapped around her bloody hands.
Avers was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. According to court documents, Mock told officers that she entered her mother's bedroom and found Avers sharpening knives. Mock stated that her mother then came at her with a knife and they struggled. During the altercation, Mock said she grabbed a knife and subdued her mother, explaining she acted because Avers was "spewing venom." She also claimed her mother told her, "I know you're f***ing Jesus Christ."
Mock, who previously anchored for Fox 2 in St. Louis, Missouri, about a decade ago, told investigators she had gone to her mother's room to discuss an upcoming job interview with KSN, an NBC affiliate. She stated that her mother expressed jealousy and did not want her to get the job, while reportedly sharpening knives.
Barry Avers, Anita Avers' husband and Mock's stepfather, was at work during the incident. He informed police that Mock had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition encompassing symptoms of both mood disorders and schizophrenia. He also noted a previous diagnosis of bipolar disorder. According to Barry Avers, his late wife had encouraged Mock to seek mental health treatment. He recalled Mock experiencing "bouts of delusions mixed with periods of depression" and said she was believed to be on medication. Approximately one month prior to the stabbing, Mock reportedly had an outburst during a family card game, expressing that her relatives were "robots" and "not real people."
Following the incident, Mock was taken to the hospital and then to the Wichita Police Department. In an interview room, she reportedly made statements indicating she believed her mother was the devil, saying, "I'd kill that b**** to have my mom back any day. I don't even know who she is anymore. I know, believe she's the devil."
Before pleading guilty, Mock underwent a competency evaluation and was found fit to stand trial. She has waived her right to a trial, and her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5. A first-degree murder conviction carries a potential sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years.