Tristan Roberts (Image: North Wales Police)
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An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to killing his mother in a brutal attack in Prestatyn last October.
Tristan Roberts, of Coniston Drive, Prestatyn, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 and a half years at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, 25 March.
Angela’s final hours
The body of 45-year-old Angela Shellis was discovered by a member of the public on the morning of 24 October 2025, lying in undergrowth at Morfa Nature Park. She had suffered significant head injuries.
North Wales Police launched a murder investigation and quickly identified Roberts as a suspect. He was arrested at his home and charged with murder following four days of interviews in custody.
Held captive before the attack
Investigating officers established that Roberts had held his mother captive inside the family home for more than four hours before her death. During that time, he physically assaulted Angela while brandishing a hammer and refused to let her leave her bedroom.
CCTV footage showed the pair leaving the address on foot shortly before 3.20am on 24 October. Once they reached the Morfa area, Roberts carried out a sustained hammer attack on Angela, inflicting fatal injuries.
He was later captured on CCTV walking home alone, before returning to the scene where it is believed he attempted to forensically clean the area.
Planning uncovered
The investigation by the Major Incident Team revealed Roberts had spent several weeks planning to kill his mother.
He appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, 5 February, where he pleaded guilty to murder.
Police response
T/Detective Superintendent Andrew Gibson, the senior investigating officer, said: “Within hours of Angela’s body being discovered, Tristan Roberts was identified and arrested. Whilst in custody he was charged with Angela’s murder.
“Through a thorough investigation, the Major Incident Team, supported by specialist teams, were able to piece together the final hours of Angela’s life, as well as evidence the extent that Tristan Roberts had gone to, over several weeks, as he planned to kill his mother.
“I would like to recognise and commend the bravery and patience of Angela’s family during this investigation. Recognising not just the loss of Angela in such traumatic circumstances, but also the loss of Tristan, who will now spend a considerable time in prison.
“I would like to thank the local community of Prestatyn for their assistance throughout the investigation, the information they submitted in response to our appeals, and for their patience and understanding as large areas of the Morfa were cordoned off for several days.
“Finally, I would like to finish with a thought for Angela, who showed tremendous bravery on that fateful night, who remained calm and continued to show her caring nature and love she had for Tristan, despite what must have been a terrifying ordeal for her.
“It was important that Angela remained the focal point throughout the investigation, and I hope today’s sentencing allows for some closure and supports Angela’s family in moving forward and towards rebuilding their lives.”
Tribute from Angela’s sister 🕊️
Angela’s sister, Sarah Gunther, said: “I pay tribute to my beloved sister, Angela — a woman whose heart, strength, and spirit shaped the lives of everyone who knew her.
“She had so many amazing qualities, but one of the greatest was the way she devoted herself to her boys. She was a fantastic and fiercely supportive mum, the kind who never gave up, no matter how hard life became. She fought tirelessly for them, and her love for them was unbreakable, a source of strength that carried her and her boys through every challenge.
“To me, she wasn’t just my sister — she was my best friend. She was the person I could talk to about anything, the one who understood me without needing explanations. Her kindness was genuine, her laughter infectious, and her presence brought warmth into every room. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved, and that is something rare and precious.
“Losing her has left a space that can never truly be filled. She will be missed every single day by so many people whose lives she touched. But even though she is no longer with us in body, the love she gave and the memories she created will stay with us forever. Her spirit lives on in the laughter she shared, the strength she showed, and the love she poured into her family.
“As we move forward, let us carry her light with us. Let us honour her by remembering the joy she brought, the kindness she showed, and the courage she lived with. Angela may be gone from our sight, but she will never be gone from our hearts. Her echo will remain in every story we tell, every smile she inspired, and every moment we feel her presence guiding us still.”
