Former TV Anchor Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Elderly Mother
In a shocking turn of events that has left a Wichita, Kansas community reeling, 47-year-old Angelynn “Angie” Mock, a former morning television news anchor, has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers. The tragic incident occurred last Friday in the home the two women shared, representing a devastating conclusion to what appears to have been a troubled mother-daughter relationship. What makes this case particularly jarring is the stark contrast between Mock’s former public persona as a trusted news presenter and the violent crime she now stands accused of committing.
According to the Wichita Police Department, officers responded to a distress call at approximately 7:50 a.m., arriving to find Mock outside the residence with visible cuts on her hands. Upon entering the home, authorities discovered Avers unresponsive in her bed, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency responders rushed the elderly woman to a nearby hospital, but medical personnel were unable to save her life. The scene described by neighbors paints a disturbing picture of the aftermath, with one resident, Alyssa Castro, recounting how a blood-covered Mock approached her vehicle requesting someone call 911. In a bizarre twist, Mock allegedly took Castro’s phone, returned to the house, and made the emergency call herself, reportedly telling dispatchers that she had “stabbed [her] mother to save herself.”
Mock’s professional background adds another layer of complexity to this tragic story. For four years, from 2011 to 2015, she served as a morning news anchor at FOX 2 in St. Louis, a position that placed her in the public eye and established her as a familiar face to thousands of viewers. Prior to that role, she had worked at KOKH FOX 25 in Oklahoma City, building what appeared to be a successful career in broadcast journalism. However, at the time of her arrest, Mock had transitioned away from television and was employed in sales at a data management software company, according to her LinkedIn profile. This career trajectory—from public figure to private citizen—provides an interesting backdrop against which this shocking crime has unfolded.
The aftermath of the alleged murder has been swift and decisive from a legal standpoint. Following her arrest, Mock received treatment at a hospital for her injuries before being booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. The severity of the charge—first-degree murder—reflects the authorities’ view of the premeditated nature of the crime. The court has set her bond at $1 million, indicating both the seriousness of the offense and possibly an assessment that Mock represents a flight risk or danger to the community. Details regarding her initial court appearance were not immediately available, leaving many questions about her legal defense strategy unanswered. The high-profile nature of the case, given Mock’s former position in the media, will likely bring additional scrutiny to the court proceedings.
The motive behind this apparent act of violence remains unclear, adding to the mystery surrounding the case. Police have not released information regarding any history of conflict between Mock and her mother, nor have they indicated whether there were previous domestic disturbance calls to the residence. The statement Mock allegedly made to dispatchers about stabbing her mother “to save herself” suggests a potential self-defense claim, though this contradicts the physical evidence of Avers being found stabbed multiple times while in her bed. The discrepancy between Mock’s reported statement and the crime scene details will undoubtedly be a focal point for investigators and prosecutors as they build their case. Mental health concerns may also emerge as a factor as more information comes to light about Mock’s state of mind before and during the incident.
The impact of this tragedy extends beyond the immediate family to touch the broader community. Neighbors expressed shock and distress at the violence that erupted in their seemingly quiet residential area. The image of a bloodied Mock emerging from the home has left a lasting impression on those who witnessed the aftermath, including Castro and other nearby residents. Additionally, former colleagues from Mock’s broadcasting days have likely been stunned by the news of her arrest for such a violent crime. This case serves as a stark reminder that domestic violence can occur in any household, regardless of professional background or public persona, and that the complexities of family relationships sometimes harbor dangerous undercurrents invisible to outside observers. As the legal process unfolds, both the community and those who knew Mock professionally will be left grappling with how someone once trusted to deliver the news has now become the subject of it under such tragic circumstances.
