Affidavit: Former News Anchor Charged in Mother's Murder Had Mental Health History

A Former News Anchor Faces Murder Charges in the Death of Her Mother

A former news anchor, Angelynn Mock, is now facing first-degree murder charges in the death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers. According to court documents, Mock has a history of mental health issues, which may have played a role in the tragic events that unfolded on Halloween morning.

The Incident and Initial Response

On the morning of Halloween, Mock allegedly stabbed her mother multiple times at their home on East Crowley. She claimed the act was in self-defense. A neighbor reported seeing Mock run out of the family’s home with blood on her hands. He stated that she knocked on his truck and asked him to call 911. The neighbor, who only speaks Spanish, said he understood the word “police” and called 911 before giving Mock his phone.

The neighbor then ran inside to tell his girlfriend, who speaks English, to go outside and speak with Mock. When they returned, they found Mock in the man’s truck calling 911. Police arrived at the scene and found Mock outside the home with blood on her hands and holding a towel.

Investigation Reveals Multiple Weapons

During the investigation, police discovered several weapons in the home. The first responding officer found a bloody cell phone on the kitchen sink and a clean kitchen knife on the kitchen floor. A large butcher knife with blood on it and a cell phone were also found on a coffee table in the living room.

In a bedroom, the officer found Anita Avers lying on her back in bed with multiple stab wounds to her head, face, and torso. The officer observed "multiple kitchen-style knives and a cheese grater, laid out on a pillow." Blood droplets were found throughout the home, but the main pooling was on the bed where Avers was lying.

Avers was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died from her injuries. Her manner of death has been ruled a homicide.

Conflicting Accounts from the Suspect

When police interviewed Mock about what had happened, she provided conflicting accounts. Initially, she told them that she went into her mother’s room to talk and saw her sharpening knives. She claimed her mother came after her with a knife and fought her. Mock said she pushed her back, and when her mother said, “I know you’re f***ing Jesus Christ,” she backed away. Her mother followed her, so she grabbed a knife and got on top of her, claiming she stabbed her to save herself.

Later, Mock told police that she went into her mother’s bedroom to discuss an upcoming job interview at a local news station. She said her mother was sharpening knives with bigger knives and expressed jealousy about the job. Mock claimed she ran around the house being chased by her mother, believing she would be killed. She said, “I had to kill her, she wasn’t going to stop.”

Mock also alternated between stating she stabbed first and that her mother stabbed first.

Mental Health History

Anita’s husband, Barry Avers, confirmed that Mock was his stepdaughter and Anita’s biological daughter. He shared that Mock had previously worked as a news anchor in St. Louis, Missouri, but was laid off after an explosive situation involving alcohol. He said Mock moved in with him and Anita four to five years ago, and at that time, Anita encouraged Mock to seek treatment from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Barry revealed that Mock had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which was later revised to schizoaffective disorder. He described her as having “bouts of delusions mixed with periods of depression.” To his knowledge, Mock was on medication, though he did not know the type or if she took it as prescribed.

Barry also mentioned that Mock had angry outbursts but never felt threatened by her. He described their relationship as “back-and-forth,” similar to most mothers and daughters, and noted that they were close.

Previous Incidents Documented

Barry recounted that the last outburst occurred three to four weeks before the deadly stabbing, when Mock yelled at the family during a car game. She accused them of hating her and said she hated everyone. He also mentioned that Mock had been in a delusional state, saying, “They’re all robots,” and “They’re not real people.” She claimed to be spiritual and even said she was the Anti-Christ.

On one occasion, Barry said Mock claimed, “I could blow everyone up if I needed to.” These statements were often made while she was on her stationary bicycle.

The night before the stabbing, Barry said he went to bed before 11 p.m., and Anita followed shortly after. He heard a conversation between Anita and Mock before going to sleep, which he thought sounded normal.

Suspect Treated for Injuries

Mock was taken to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, where she was treated for six lacerations to her left hand, two to her right hand, and one to her inner right arm. After discharge, she was taken to the Wichita Police Department’s Investigation Section, where she was allowed to contact her lawyer.

While in the interview room, Mock made multiple statements, talking to herself and believing her mother was the devil. She said, “I’d kill that bi*** to have my mom back any day. I don’t even know who she is anymore. I know, I believe she’s the devil.”

Mock is currently charged with first-degree murder in her mother’s death. She is being held on a $1 million bond, and a competency evaluation has been ordered.