Tristan Roberts, 18, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years and six months for the murder of his mother, Angela Shellis, at their home in Prestatyn, north Wales. Roberts, who held misogynistic views and was fascinated by the film American Psycho, carefully planned the attack, researching methods of killing and purchasing weapons including knives, hammers and an axe.
On 23 October 2025, Roberts began attacking his mother at home, then persuaded her to leave for medical help. In a nature reserve, he struck her multiple times on the head with a hammer, recording the attacks on a dictaphone. Police found her body the next morning, with a 100-metre blood trail, gloves, a balaclava and her crutch at the scene.
In the weeks before the murder, Roberts posted on Discord a still from American Psycho with the message “i got urges” and wrote “i do hate girls … girls/women i also dont trust them”. He also asked an AI chatbot about the best weapon for murder, initially refused, but later received answers after claiming he was writing a book on serial killers.
On the day of the killing, Roberts left a voice note saying he would murder his mother with a sledgehammer, using the alter ego “Alex”. After the killing, he recorded himself saying “Oh God that was terrifying … That felt so crazy.” Doorbell footage showed mother and son leaving home at 3.19am; police believe Roberts kept her prisoner for about four hours, causing facial bruising and strangulation injuries.
Roberts turned 18 ten days before the attack, which police believe was significant as it allowed him to legally buy some weapons. When arrested, he appeared calm and asked “Is the body you found my mother?” He answered “no comment” to all questions during nine interviews.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said Roberts “appears to have revelled in the control” over his mother, calling it “a truly awful way for someone to die”. Shellis’s elder son, Ethan, said “All my mum ever did was love Tristan.” Her sister, Sarah Gunther, described her as “a fantastic and fiercely supportive mum”.
