Wichita, KS – A 47-year-old former TV news anchor, identified as Angelynn Mock, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers, to death inside their Kansas home. Police say the suspect claimed she acted in self-defense when she called 911 to report the killing.
The Incident: Mother Found Dead with Multiple Stab Wounds
According to the Wichita Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday at a residence in the 1500 block of East Crowley Street. When they arrived, they found Mock standing outside the home, covered in blood, and saying she had killed her mother.
Inside, officers discovered Avers lying unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds. Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Police arrested Mock at the scene and transported her to the hospital for medical evaluation before taking her to the Sedgwick County Jail, where she is being held on a $1 million bond.
Investigation and 911 Call: Suspect Claimed She Acted in Self-Defense
Audio obtained from 911 dispatch recordings revealed that Mock allegedly told operators she had stabbed her mother to “save herself.”
“Calling party stabbed the mother to save herself,” dispatchers were heard saying in the recording.
A neighbor, Alyssa Castro, told reporters that she and her boyfriend were sitting in their car when Mock suddenly approached them in a state of panic.
“There was a woman who approached our vehicle with like blood, like her hands were filled, her body was filled with blood, asking to call 911,” Castro said.
Castro explained that Mock begged her boyfriend for his phone to call 911 but ran back inside the house immediately afterward.
“I asked her if she was OK, and she was pretty shaken up and she seemed scared, and she just ran off,” Castro added.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Mock sustained any injuries or if evidence supports her self-defense claim. Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and formal charges of first-degree murder were filed later that day.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Wichita police confirmed that Mock faces a single count of first-degree murder in connection with her mother’s death. The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing case details ahead of a preliminary hearing expected in the coming weeks.
Court records show that Mock has no prior violent criminal history, but detectives are now examining domestic and psychological factors that may have contributed to the fatal confrontation.
Mock is currently being held without bail modification, and her arraignment hearing is scheduled for later this month.
The Victim: Respected Therapist and Community Figure
The victim, Anita Avers, was a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of professional experience. She worked at Wichita Counseling Professionals, where her biography described her as specializing in depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship therapy.
“She specializes in treating adults experiencing depression, anxiety spectrum disorders, trauma, and mood disorders, as well as relationship issues, including couples and marriages, family conflict, infidelity, and divorce,” her professional profile stated.
Friends and former clients have expressed deep sorrow over Avers’ death, describing her as a compassionate and dedicated therapist who touched many lives in the Wichita community.
Background: Suspect’s Career as a Former TV Anchor
Before the incident, Angelynn Mock was known for her career in broadcasting. She worked as a morning news anchor at Fox 2 St. Louis from 2011 to 2015, where she was recognized for her on-air professionalism and community involvement.
Former colleagues expressed shock at her arrest, describing her as “driven” and “focused” during her years in television.
Authorities have not commented on whether Mock’s recent personal or professional circumstances may have influenced her actions, but court documents suggest mental health evaluations could be ordered as part of the case.
Ongoing Developments and What Comes Next
Police have not disclosed what may have led to the violent encounter between Mock and her mother. Investigators are reportedly collecting forensic evidence, electronic communications, and medical records to piece together the events leading up to the fatal stabbing.
Prosecutors are expected to argue that the killing was intentional and premeditated, while the defense may assert Mock acted in self-defense or under psychological distress.
The Wichita Police Department stated that updates will be released once the autopsy and forensic reports are complete.
Conclusion
The killing of 80-year-old therapist Anita Avers by her daughter, former Fox 2 news anchor Angelynn Mock, has left the Wichita community stunned. As investigators search for answers, the case underscores the tragic intersection of family conflict, mental health, and violence—and a once-familiar face in local television now stands accused of the unthinkable.
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