Son Used AI to Plan and Execute Mother’s Brutal Murder

Son Used AI to Plan and Execute Mother’s Brutal Murder

The quiet seaside town of Pwllheli in North Wales was shattered by a brutal act of violence in the early hours of October 24, 2025. Angela Shellis, a devoted mother and teaching assistant, was found dead in a nature reserve, her body discovered with a trail of blood leading away from her resting place. Detectives soon found her crutches nearby, along with a blood-soaked balaclava and gloves, painting a grim picture of her final moments.

The investigation that followed unearthed a disturbing tale of online obsession, meticulous planning, and chilling cruelty. It pointed to a dark mind influenced by toxic online communities and, alarmingly, aided by artificial intelligence. This is the case of Angela Shellis and her son, Tristan Roberts.

A Mother’s Love and a Son’s Darkness

Angela Shellis was a woman whose life revolved around her two sons. After divorcing her husband in 2021, she moved back to her native North Wales with her children, seeking a fresh start and the support of her family. She took a part-time job as a teaching assistant at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, a role she loved for the time it allowed her to spend with her boys.

Her older son, Ethan, was studying at university and by all accounts was doing well. He spoke to his mother daily.

Tristan, the younger son, lived with Angela and had recently left school without higher education. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD, he was unemployed and dependent on his mother.

Tristan had a history of troubled behavior, including stays in psychiatric care and a court appearance for carrying a knife. He had even briefly run away from home after an incident where he attacked Angela in her kitchen. Despite this, Angela, known for her big heart, took him back in, hoping to provide stability.

However, Tristan’s world was increasingly consumed by dark online spaces. He spent hours on video games and online forums, becoming immersed in misogynistic communities and developing an obsession with violence and serial killers. His online activity revealed a growing detachment from reality and a deep resentment, which he began to direct towards his mother.

Signs of Trouble and a Mother’s Fear

The warning signs were present. Ethan, Tristan’s older brother, had become so worried about his mother’s safety that he installed security cameras around their home. Angela herself had reached out to a social worker weeks before the murder, concerned that Tristan had purchased a weapon.

In a note found on her phone, Angela expressed her fear: “Is he planning to hurt me? I did not sleep well at all, and Tristan kept coming into my room too.

Am I safe in my own room tonight?” Her worries were valid. Tristan had begun acquiring an arsenal of weapons, including hammers and axes, and on his 18th birthday, he bought a knife.

His online presence became increasingly alarming. Tristan created multiple Discord accounts, often using an “American Psycho” avatar. He wrote about revenge against his mother, expressing urges and fantasies of violence.

One message read, “She is going to just vanish off the earth. I already tried everything else. Now it’s time.”

AI-Assisted Planning

In a chilling development, Tristan began using artificial intelligence to aid his planning. He used an AI chatbot, Deepseek, to ask for advice on how to clean blood from surfaces and inquire about the best weapon for murder. To bypass the AI’s safety filters, Tristan falsely claimed he was writing a book about serial killers.

The AI, deceived by this premise, provided information, even suggesting a hammer would be best for an inexperienced killer and listing pros and cons for using a hammer versus a knife. This marked a disturbing new frontier in criminal planning, where AI was manipulated to facilitate violent acts.

The Night of the Murder

A week before the attack, Tristan created a new Discord profile named “Tonight’s the Night” and began writing a manifesto. In it, he spoke of revenge and vengeance, stating, “There is no use living anymore if I don’t do this because I am already dead.” He planned to take his own life after killing his mother.

On the night of October 23, 2025, Tristan recorded himself with a hammer. He confessed his intention to kill his mother, identifying himself as “Alex” for the act. Just after 11 p.m., he entered Angela’s bedroom and attacked her.

The recording captured Tristan striking his mother multiple times with the hammer and then strangling her. Even in her injured state, Angela begged him to call 999, promising not to report him if he did.

Tristan eventually agreed but refused to call emergency services. Instead, he told Angela to put on a balaclava and leave with him.

The Attack and Aftermath

Surveillance footage showed Angela and Tristan leaving the house together at 3:19 a.m. He led her to a nature reserve, telling her they were taking a shortcut. Once there, he instructed her to sit on a bench, still recording.

Adopting an American accent, likely mimicking a character from “American Psycho,” Tristan attacked his mother. He struck her in the back of the head four times with the hammer, shattering her skull. He then dragged her body into the undergrowth.

After the attack, Tristan returned home. He later drove back to his mother’s body with bleach and cleaning supplies, but left when he saw dog walkers in the area. He then logged onto Discord and posted, “I’ve just had the craziest day,” sharing the details of his crime with strangers online before his mother’s body was even discovered.

He then sent a text from Angela’s phone to Ethan, claiming their mother was unwell. Ethan, sensing something was wrong, asked their grandparents to check on Angela. By the time they arrived, Tristan had barricaded himself inside the house and called a locksmith to change the locks.

Arrest, Trial, and Sentencing

Angela’s body was discovered by a member of the public shortly before 9 a.m. Police arrived at the house by 1:25 p.m.

And arrested Tristan. A search of his bedroom uncovered a murder kit, including the hammer, a bloodstained water bottle, and Angela’s phone.

During interrogation, Tristan remained silent, but the three-hour recording of the murder spoke volumes. On February 5, 2026, less than four months after the murder, Tristan pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced on March 25, 2026.

The judge stated that Tristan was not suffering from a mental disorder that affected his behavior, noting that autism and ADHD do not correlate with violence. He was described as a dangerous individual with little remorse. Ethan addressed the court, expressing his grief and disbelief that his mother, who had done everything for Tristan, could be subjected to such an act.

Tristan Roberts was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 and a half years. The case highlighted the disturbing intersection of online radicalization, AI misuse, and extreme violence, leaving a devastating impact on a family and a community.

Source: How AI helped a Manosphere Incel Murder his Own Mother (YouTube)