Former Fox anchor Angelynn Mock pleads guilty to murdering her 80-year-old mother

Former television news anchor Angelynn Mock has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers.

Mock, 48, entered the plea on Friday, giving up her right to proceed to trial. She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5.

A first-degree murder conviction carries a possible life sentence, with eligibility for parole after 25 years.

The plea follows a case that began on October 31, 2025, when Avers was discovered with multiple injuries inside her Wichita, Kansas, home.

Police find Avers unresponsive in her bedroom

According to an affidavit filed in Sedgwick County District Court, Avers was found unresponsive in bed wearing a bra and underwear.

Police reportedly discovered several blood-covered kitchen knives and a cheese grater arranged on a pillow beside her.

“All the utensils had blood on them,” the court documents stated.

Avers had suffered multiple injuries to her face and torso She was transported by ambulance to a hospital but later died.

Mock called 911 following the attack and allegedly told the dispatcher that her mother had tried to kill her, prompting her to stab Avers in response.

When Wichita police arrived, officers reportedly found Mock outside the residence holding a towel over her bloodied hands.

Mock claimed her mother attacked first

Mock told investigators that she entered her mother’s bedroom to discuss an upcoming job interview at NBC affiliate KSN.

According to the affidavit, Mock claimed that Avers was “sharpening knives” and accused her mother of being jealous of the possible television opportunity.

Mock alleged that Avers approached her with a knife and continued following her after she attempted to move away.

She said she eventually took a knife and got on top of her mother.

Mock also told investigators that Avers made a disturbing religious remark during the confrontation and claimed that she attacked because her mother “started spewing venom” from her mouth.

These claims were part of Mock’s account to investigators following the killing and were detailed in court documents.

Family described a history of mental health concerns

Avers’ husband, Barry Aves, was working when his wife was attacked.

According to the affidavit, he later spoke with investigators about his stepdaughter’s history and said Mock had moved into the family home approximately four or five years earlier.

Barry reportedly told police that Avers had previously encouraged her daughter to seek mental health treatment.

He said Mock was initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder before the diagnosis was later changed to schizoaffective disorder. According to his account, she experienced periods of depression and delusions and was taking medication as far as he knew.

Barry also described an incident during a family card game about a month before the killing. He alleged that Mock became angry, claimed everyone hated her and told relatives that they were robots and “not real people.”

The affidavit also stated that Barry recalled Mock describing herself as spiritual, saying she communicated with God and referring to herself as “Anti-Christ.”

Mock underwent a competency evaluation

Mock was initially taken to a hospital after her mother’s death and was later transported to the Wichita Police Department’s investigation section.

While inside an interview room, she was reportedly heard talking to herself and saying that she believed her mother was the devil.

“I’d kill that b**** to have my mom back any day,” Mock said, according to the legal documents. “I don’t even know who she is anymore. I know, believe she’s the devil.”

Mock was later ordered to undergo an evaluation to determine whether she was competent to stand trial.

A judge ruled in July that Mock was competent to proceed with the case. She has since waived her right to a trial and admitted guilt to first-degree murder.

Her career before the killing

Mock previously worked as a television anchor at Fox 2 in St. Louis between 2011 and 2015. She also worked at KOKH Fox 25 in Oklahoma City.

Barry reportedly told investigators that Mock had been laid off from the St. Louis station following what he described as an “explosive situation involving alcohol.”

At the time of her arrest, Mock was reportedly employed in sales by a management software company.

Her sentencing on October 5 will determine the punishment she receives for Avers’ murder.