An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and six months for the murder of his mother, Angela Shellis, 45, in Prestatyn, north Wales.
Planned Attack
Tristan Roberts carefully planned the crime, researching methods of killing and how to avoid detection. He purchased potential weapons including knives, hammers, and an axe prior to the attack.
The attack began at their home late in the evening of October 23, 2025. Roberts then persuaded his mother to walk with him through a nature reserve in the early hours of the following morning, telling her he would take her for medical help.
In the nature reserve, Roberts used a hammer to kill Shellis, a teaching assistant at a high school, by repeatedly striking her on the head. He recorded the attacks both at home and in the nature reserve using a dictaphone.
Evidence of Premeditation and Disturbing Views
Prior to the murder, Roberts posted images and messages online, including a still from the film American Psycho with the message: “i got urges.” He too wrote, “its gonna be some american psycho sht haha” and expressed misogynistic views, stating “i do hate girls … girls/women i also dont trust them” and “she is gonna just vanish off the earth … now its time.”
On the day of the murder, Roberts made a voice recording stating, “This is Tristan Roberts. Tonight, I’m going to be Alex and I’m going to murder my mother with a sledgehammer.” The reason for using the name “Alex” is unknown.
Investigation and Arrest
Police discovered Shellis’s body in undergrowth on the morning of October 24, following a 100-metre blood trail. A gloves and a balaclava were found at the scene, along with the victim’s crutch, which she used due to a knee injury.
Doorbell footage showed Roberts and his mother leaving their home at 3:19 am. Police believe Roberts held his mother prisoner in her room for approximately four hours, during which she sustained bruising and strangulation injuries.
After the murder, Roberts returned to the house and then left again, leading police to believe he intended to return and attempt to clean the scene with bleach.
Following his arrest, Roberts appeared calm and asked officers, “Is the body you found my mother?” He was questioned nine times over four days but responded with “no comment” to all questions.
Andrew Slight of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that Roberts’s planning was “elaborate and calculated” and that his mother’s final moments “must have been terrifying,” adding that he showed “no concern or remorse for his actions.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Tristan Roberts’s sentence?
Tristan Roberts was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and six months.
Where did the murder take place?
The murder took place in Prestatyn, north Wales, beginning at the victim’s home and concluding in a nearby nature reserve.
What evidence suggested premeditation?
Evidence of premeditation included Roberts’s research into methods of killing, the purchase of weapons, online posts expressing violent intentions, and a voice recording made on the day of the murder.
How might cases like this impact public discourse surrounding online radicalization and the potential warning signs of violent behavior?
