Former TV news anchor, Angelynn “Angie” Mock, 47, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder after stabbing her 80-year-old mother in Wichita, Kansas on October 31, 2025. This shocking incident unfolded in a tranquil neighborhood, leaving residents bewildered.
At approximately 7:52 a.m., police were summoned to a home in South Wichita following a report of an assault. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Mock outside the residence with several cuts on her hands. Inside the house, her mother, Anita Avers, was found unresponsive in her bed with multiple knife wounds.
Avers, a prominent marriage and family therapist associated with Wichita Counseling Professionals, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital. However, according to Sedgwick County police reports, she was declared dead at 8:26 a.m.
Alyssa Castro, a resident, reported that a blood-covered Mock approached her car and requested to use her phone to dial 911. Mock used Castro’s boyfriend’s phone to contact emergency services, telling dispatchers that she had stabbed her mother in self-defense. This information was later shared by Sedgwick County dispatchers with local media outlets.
Reflecting on this unsettling incident, Castro said that Mock appeared scared. Despite the chilling circumstances, Castro expressed gratitude for her ability to provide assistance in a crisis, which left the neighborhood deeply shaken.
Following medical treatment for her injuries, Mock was held at the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of first-degree murder.
Mock’s prior career as a morning news anchor for KTVI Fox 2 in St. Louis from 2011 to 2015 has brought additional focus to this case. After exiting the broadcasting field, she transitioned into a sales role. At the time of her arrest, Mock was employed by a data management software company with multiple Midwest branches, including a Wichita office, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Avers and her daughter lived together in the house where the incident occurred. Avers was a highly respected therapist in the local community. Her husband confirmed her professional background to the local press.
The violent nature of the crime and Mock’s former position as a trusted TV anchor have drawn considerable attention, representing a stark deviation from her public image as a news source.
A probable cause affidavit revealed in November provided unsettling insights into Mock’s mental health history, including a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. The document indicated that she experienced delusions and depression, with episodes where she perceived her family members as “robots” and “unreal people.”
During questioning, Mock informed investigators that she had attacked her mother out of fear for her own life, although her narrative varied. On November 14, Judge Jeffrey Goering ordered a competency evaluation for Mock to ascertain her ability to face trial.
On January 16, 2026, Judge Jeffrey Goering determined that Mock was mentally unfit to stand trial. Following this ruling, Mock was committed to a state mental hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Criminal proceedings have been paused while she undergoes treatment.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office clarified that a finding of incompetence does not dismiss the charges or result in the defendant’s release. The proceedings will continue if Mock is later found competent to stand trial.
Court documents verified that Mock has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. She continues to face charges of first-degree murder in connection with her mother’s death. However, the case remains in limbo until her mental health stabilizes to the point where she can participate in her defense.
