Former News Anchor Sentenced to Life for Mother's Murder
Angelynn Mock believed her mother was 'the devil' and had to be killed.
A former television news anchor has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her elderly mother, whom she believed was possessed by the devil. Angelynn “Angie” Mock, 48, who previously worked as a morning news host in St. Louis and Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to murdering her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers, on Halloween morning in 2025 at their home in Wichita, Kansas. She will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years.
Mock's mother was found in her bed with multiple stab wounds. Mock herself sustained cuts on her hands. According to an affidavit, Mock stated she "had to kill her" because she believed her mother was “the devil.”
Mock told investigators she went to her mother’s room to discuss an upcoming job interview and found her sharpening knives. Mock claimed her mother then came at her with a blade, leading to a struggle during which Mock overpowered her. Mock also reported her mother spewing “venom” and telling her, “I know you’re f–king Jesus Christ.” Mock stated she then grabbed a knife and stabbed her mother, believing she had no choice.
Barry Avers, Mock’s stepfather, informed investigators that Mock had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and experienced delusions and depression. He described her as prone to spiraling into delusional states, sometimes claiming people were “robots” or “not real people.” Mock also asserted she spoke to God and identified herself as the Anti-Christ, becoming upset when others disbelieved her. Avers noted that while Mock was on medication and prone to angry outbursts, she had not previously been violent.
Mock had an earlier incident requiring her to be held at a psychiatric hospital for approximately two weeks. Her stepfather recalled a delusional episode about three to four weeks before the killing during a card game with family members.
In January 2026, Mock was initially found not mentally fit to stand trial, and proceedings were halted while she was sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation and treatment. She entered her guilty plea in August 2026. The sentencing occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Prior to the murder, Mock had worked as a morning news anchor at KTVI in St. Louis from 2011 to 2015 and later at KOKH in Oklahoma City. At the time of the killing, she was employed in sales at a data management software company.