The case against former television news anchor Angelynn Mock has taken a dramatic turn. A Kansas judge has halted criminal proceedings after determining the 47-year-old is currently not mentally competent to stand trial for the murder of her mother.
The ruling came during a court appearance in Sedgwick County, where Judge Jeffrey Goering ordered Mock to undergo evaluation and treatment at a state mental hospital. This means the first-degree murder charge, stemming from the Halloween stabbing death of 80-year-old Anita Avers, is paused indefinitely.
Police responded to a disturbing scene at the Wichita home shared by Mock and Avers on October 31st. Officers arriving at approximately 7:50 a.m. discovered Mock outside the residence, visibly injured with cuts on her hands.
Inside the home, they found Anita Avers suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite immediate transport to a local hospital, Avers succumbed to her injuries. The scene painted a grim picture, hinting at a tragedy unfolding behind closed doors.
Disturbing details emerged from initial investigations. A probable cause affidavit revealed Mock had been making unsettling statements to herself, expressing a chilling belief that her mother was the devil. She reportedly told authorities she stabbed Avers in an attempt to save herself.
Court documents indicate Mock has a history of mental health challenges. Her stepfather informed investigators she had previously been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition marked by delusions and periods of depression. This history casts a somber light on the events leading up to the tragedy.
A neighbor recounted a harrowing encounter with Mock shortly after the incident. Approaching the neighbor’s vehicle with blood on her hands and body, Mock desperately requested help calling 911. The neighbor’s account underscores the chaotic and frightening nature of the morning.
Before the tragic events, Mock enjoyed a successful career in broadcast journalism. She worked as a morning news anchor at KTVI in St. Louis from 2011 to 2015, and later at KOKH in Oklahoma City. More recently, she was employed in sales within the data management software industry.
The District Attorney’s Office clarified that a finding of incompetency does not equate to dismissal of the case, nor does it guarantee Mock’s release. Criminal proceedings will be revisited should she be deemed mentally competent to stand trial at a later date. The legal process remains suspended, awaiting a determination of her mental state.
