The family of a mother who was fatally attacked by her teenage son has shared her distressing pleas for assistance prior to the tragic incident. The son’s brother fondly remembers the victim as an exceptional mother.
At 18 years old, Tristan Roberts brutally murdered his mother, Angela Shellis, a 45-year-old teaching assistant, after consulting an AI chatbot for advice. Living with his mother, Roberts meticulously planned the violent act over a period of at least three weeks. He openly discussed his intentions on Discord, likening his scheme to a scene from the movie “American Psycho” and repeatedly sought guidance from the AI assistant DeepSeek on using a hammer or a knife.
The horrific assault occurred between 11 pm and 3.30 am, after which Roberts deceived his mother into thinking he was taking her for medical assistance. Instead, he led her to a secluded area where he fatally struck her with a hammer, shattering her skull. The victim’s body was discovered near a footpath close to a nature reserve in Prestatyn, North Wales, in October of the previous year.
Following Roberts’ sentencing to life imprisonment, his older brother, Ethan, and aunt, Sarah Gunter, disclosed Angela’s relentless efforts to seek help for her autistic son Tristan. Sarah revealed an email Angela had shared with her addressed to the local health board, emphasizing her determination to fight for her son’s well-being and steer him away from mental health issues or criminal behavior.
Expressing their dismay after the court ruling, Sarah remarked on Roberts’ lack of remorse, even noting moments where he appeared to smirk. She expressed a desire to confront him and question his actions directly. The family highlighted Angela’s persistent attempts to secure support for her son through various avenues, albeit with limited success, citing their disappointment in the lack of assistance from mental health services and social services.
Ethan recalled a poignant memory of Angela eagerly preparing for her son’s 18th birthday celebration just weeks before the tragedy unfolded. Despite the family’s efforts to engage with authorities and mental health services, they lamented the system’s failure to provide the necessary support for Tristan’s escalating issues.
The family shared insights into Tristan’s troubled behavior, citing instances of alarming conduct and previous episodes that hinted at his deteriorating mental state. Despite the challenges they faced in getting him the help he needed, they remain hopeful that Tristan will eventually receive the support necessary for his rehabilitation.
