Teenager's Chilling Arrest After Hammer Murder of Mother Caught on Camera
Tristan Thomas Roberts, 18, displayed a complete lack of emotion as police officers placed him in handcuffs outside the home he shared with his mother, Angela Jane Shellis. The arrest footage, captured on camera, shows the teenager's chilling reaction following the brutal murder that shocked the community. Ms Shellis, a teaching assistant at Rhyl High School, was found dead in undergrowth near Morfa nature reserve on October 24 last year, having suffered a fatal blunt force head injury.
Violent Attack Recorded and Planned Online
The court heard that Roberts' violent assault began around 11pm and lasted until 3.30am, during which he strangled his conscious mother and repeatedly struck her with a hammer. He recorded the entire attack on a voice recorder, keeping clips deemed too distressing for courtroom playback. Images released after sentencing reveal a blood-stained path where Ms Shellis was dragged approximately 100 metres before being dumped in overgrowth, along with evidence including gloves, a hammer, and her walking crutch.
Roberts had meticulously planned the murder, maintaining 16 different accounts on the social media platform Discord where he discussed killing his mother for revenge and justice to "move forward in life." In one post, he promised an 'American Psycho'-style murder. Two weeks prior, on October 10, he queried the AI assistant DeepSeek about removing blood from walls and floors, later purchasing disposable gloves. On October 13, he informed Discord users of his intent to kill, bought a knife from The Range—prompting concern from the cashier—and repeatedly consulted DeepSeek on whether to use a hammer or knife, with the AI suggesting a hammer.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Roberts appeared at Mold Crown Court last month, pleading guilty to murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and six months, reduced to 22 years and 34 days accounting for 148 days already spent in custody. The judge described the case as "extremely unusual," noting that Roberts not only ended his mother's life but caused dreadful anguish to the entire family. Personal statements from family members, including Ms Shellis' son Ethan, expressed overwhelming grief and anger, with Ethan describing himself as "a shell of the person I was" and lamenting the loss of "the most important person in my life."
During the attack, Roberts made his mother wear a balaclava helmet, led her through a railway line to an isolated area, and spoke in an American accent before producing the hammer. The victim pleaded with him to call 999, but he struck her four times, with one blow shattering her skull. In his recording, Roberts stated he was glad it was over and admitted, "it was terrifying" before confirming he had killed her.
A North Wales Police spokesperson confirmed Roberts was quickly identified as a suspect and arrested at his home address on the same day his mother's body was found, charged with murder four days later. The judge emphasised that only a mandatory life sentence was appropriate, with Roberts subject to licence for the rest of his life upon any potential parole consideration after the minimum term.
