Tristan Robert, 18, a British teenager, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for brutally killing his mother with a hammer following advice from an artificial intelligence (AI) platform. The verdict was delivered last Wednesday at Mold Crown Court in North Wales. According to the sentence, Robert must serve a minimum of 22 years and 6 months in prison.
On 23 October last year, Robert fatally attacked his 45-year-old mother, Angela Shellis, with a 4-pound sledgehammer. Court proceedings revealed that the murder was meticulously planned over several weeks, and Robert had recorded an audio of nearly four and a half hours documenting the incident.
Investigators found that Robert’s motive stemmed from online misogynistic posts and his perception of his mother as responsible for all his life problems. According to court records, Robert consulted an AI search engine called ‘DeepSic’ about methods and weapons for committing murder.
“Initially, the AI provided negative responses. However, when Robert claimed he was writing a book about serial killers, it revealed certain strategies,” the prosecution stated.
Robert reportedly asked the AI questions about blood cleanup and whether a hammer or knife was more effective. Prosecutor Andrew Thomas said the AI explained the pros and cons of using a hammer for inexperienced killers.
Investigations showed that Robert began preparing at least three weeks before the murder. He purchased a sledgehammer, sharpening stones, and plastic sheets online. On the night of the crime, he first attacked his mother at home, then lured her outside under the pretext of medical attention, and took her to a secluded nature reserve. There, he pulled the hammer from a bag and struck her head repeatedly until she died.
“I’ve killed her… the job is done,” Robert is heard saying in the audio recording.
He then hid the body in the bushes and returned home. The body was discovered by passersby the next morning, leading to Robert’s arrest.
During the hearing, the victim’s older son, Ethan Robert, and daughter, Sara Gunther, became emotional. Angela Shellis had consistently supported her son, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. A few days before the murder, she noted her concern in her phone upon seeing the weapons he purchased, questioning whether he intended to harm her or himself. Tragically, her fears became reality.
