Former TV Anchor Arrested in Wichita After Mother Found Fatally Stabbed

WICHITA, Kan. — A 47-year-old former television news anchor was taken into custody early Friday morning after police say they discovered her mother fatally stabbed inside a Wichita home. Authorities identified the suspect as [Name Redacted Pending Charges], who was found outside the residence covered in blood when officers arrived.

According to the Wichita Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call around 8:05 a.m. in a quiet residential neighborhood near East Central Avenue. When they arrived, they found the suspect’s 75-year-old mother, Anita Avers, inside the home suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the attack, but they confirmed that the suspect is Avers’ daughter, a former Kansas-based TV anchor who worked for several local outlets during the early 2000s. Police said she was detained without incident and taken to the Sedgwick County Jail for questioning.

“She Was Covered in Blood”

Witnesses described a chaotic and disturbing scene that unfolded in an otherwise calm suburban area. Neighbor Alyssa Castro, who lives across the street, told local outlet KAKE News that she and her boyfriend were sitting in their car when the suspect suddenly approached them in distress.

“There was a woman who approached our vehicle with blood — her hands were filled, her body was filled with blood — asking to call 911,” Castro said.

Castro said her boyfriend handed the woman his phone to make the emergency call. Within moments, she recalled, the woman rushed back toward the house.

“She seemed scared,” Castro said. “We didn’t know what was happening at first — we thought maybe someone was hurt inside. Then all the police came, and it just turned into chaos.”

Officers arrived minutes later, finding the suspect standing outside the home. Police sources told reporters she appeared disoriented and emotionally distressed, though they have not confirmed whether she made any statements regarding the stabbing.

Inside the Investigation

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said during a brief press conference Friday afternoon that detectives are still piecing together the circumstances leading to the fatal confrontation.

“This is a deeply tragic situation,” Sullivan said. “We are working to determine the sequence of events and what may have led to this violent incident. At this stage, we can confirm that the suspect and victim are related, and that this appears to be a domestic matter.”

Investigators spent much of the day processing the home for evidence. Forensic technicians were seen photographing bloodstains and collecting items from both inside and outside the residence. Police tape surrounded the property as neighbors gathered in disbelief at the shocking crime.

A Once-Familiar Face in Local Media

Before her arrest, the suspect was known in Wichita and surrounding communities for her career in television journalism. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked as a reporter and anchor for multiple Kansas-based stations, and later transitioned into communications and public relations work.

The profile remains active and highlights her years of experience covering breaking news, political stories, and community features. Colleagues who spoke off the record expressed shock and sadness, describing her as “professional, driven, and always passionate about her work.”

“She loved storytelling and had deep ties to Wichita,” one former coworker said. “It’s heartbreaking to hear this kind of news.”

Authorities confirmed that she had no significant prior criminal record in Kansas.

A Neighborhood in Shock

Residents described the Avers family as quiet and private, saying there were no signs of trouble before Friday morning’s tragedy. “They kept to themselves, but everyone around here knew them,” said Michael Rojas, who lives two houses down. “This is the last thing you’d expect to happen here.”

Throughout the day, friends and relatives of the family arrived at the home, visibly shaken. Some placed flowers near the police barrier while others embraced, crying. “Anita was kind and gentle,” one family friend said. “She didn’t deserve this.”

Mental Health Considerations

Though police have not commented on the suspect’s mental state, experts note that mental health crises can play a role in violent domestic incidents, particularly among caregivers or adult children living with aging parents. Wichita-based psychologist Dr. Elaine Morrison said that stress, isolation, and untreated trauma often go unnoticed until tragedy strikes.

“We don’t yet know what triggered this situation,” Morrison said. “But what’s clear is that it’s a reminder that emotional and psychological struggles can reach a breaking point, even among people who seem outwardly successful.”

What Happens Next

Police say the suspect is currently being held pending formal charges of first-degree murder. An autopsy on Avers is scheduled for this weekend, and detectives plan to review surveillance footage and phone records as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Wichita Police Department has urged the public to avoid speculation while the case remains under investigation.

“This is a family tragedy,” Chief Sullivan said. “Our focus now is on uncovering the truth and providing answers for the victim’s loved ones.”

As the sun set over the neighborhood Friday evening, the quiet hum of normal life had returned — but the grief lingered. What was once a home filled with family is now a crime scene, and a community is left searching for understanding in the aftermath of unthinkable violence.