Former News Anchor Arrested After Mother’s Fatal Stabbing Shocks Wichita Community
A quiet Wichita neighborhood awoke to sirens and disbelief on what began as an ordinary Friday morning. Behind the doors of a modest suburban home, police discovered an 80-year-old woman fatally stabbed in her bed—a tragedy made even more shocking by the alleged suspect: her own daughter, a former television news anchor once known for her poised on-screen presence.
Authorities have identified the victim as Anita Avers, a respected licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. Her daughter, Angelynn Mock, 47, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.
A Routine Morning Turns Deadly
According to Wichita police, officers were dispatched to the home after a distress call was made from a neighbor’s phone. When they arrived, they found Mock outside the residence, her clothes and hands stained with blood. Inside, Avers was discovered lying in bed, suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Emergency responders rushed her to St. Francis Hospital, but she was pronounced dead roughly 30 minutes later.
During questioning, Mock reportedly told investigators she stabbed her mother “to save herself,” according to reports from local news outlet KAKE-TV. However, officials have not released further details about the nature of the confrontation or any prior incidents of violence between the two women.
Mock was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Sedgwick County Jail on a $1 million bond.
From Television to Tragedy
For many in St. Louis and the broader Midwest, Mock’s name is a familiar one. She previously worked as a morning anchor for KTVI-TV, the Fox affiliate in St. Louis, between 2011 and 2015. Known for her professionalism and warm on-air presence, she later stepped away from broadcasting and largely disappeared from the public eye.
The news of her arrest has left former colleagues and viewers stunned. “It’s unimaginable,” said one former coworker who asked not to be named. “Angelynn was always composed, focused, and deeply kind. None of us can reconcile this news with the person we knew.”
Avers, by contrast, was well known in the Wichita mental health community. A practicing therapist with Wichita Counseling Professionals, she specialized in family therapy, marriage counseling, and trauma recovery. Those who knew her describe her as deeply empathetic and devoted to helping others navigate emotional hardship—a tragic irony given the circumstances of her death.
A Community in Shock
The brutal nature of the incident has rocked the Wichita community, leaving neighbors grappling with disbelief. “They seemed quiet, private people,” one neighbor told reporters. “You’d never expect something like this to happen here.”
While the motive remains unclear, police continue to investigate possible factors, including mental health concerns and domestic conflict. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until more evidence is released.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
Mock is expected to make her first court appearance in the coming days. Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the case as first-degree murder, though her defense team may argue for mental health evaluations before trial proceedings move forward.
If convicted, Mock could face life imprisonment under Kansas law.
Conclusion
The death of Anita Avers has left a trail of grief and unanswered questions—a tragic convergence of family, mental health, and violence. As investigators work to uncover the full truth behind the fatal confrontation, one reality remains: a once-promising journalist now faces life behind bars, and a respected therapist’s life has been cut short in the place she should have felt safest—her own home.
What began as a quiet Wichita morning ended as a tragedy that no community will soon forget.