Chicago: A 31-year-old Indian-origin man, Ankur Patel, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing his estranged wife to death in Chicago, United States, after she refused to reconcile with him and chose to stay with her new partner.
The incident took place in August, nearly three months after Patel and his 32-year-old wife, with whom he has a daughter, separated. The woman had moved out of their home in Wisconsin in May.
The woman briefly returned to live with Patel after their separation due to pressure from family members. However, she left again soon after, began dating one of their former colleagues and moved to Louisiana. She allowed their daughter to stay with Patel, the Times of India reported.
Patel subsequently threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her new partner, officials said. He also allegedly prevented the woman from speaking to their daughter, leading to frequent arguments between the two.
Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago about two weeks before the killing. He also sent his daughter to live with his parents in India without informing his wife.
He later invited the woman to Chicago, reportedly to meet their daughter. Unaware that the child had been sent to India, the woman travelled to the city with her new partner.
She went into Patel’s apartment while her partner waited outside. She was shocked to discover that their daughter was not there and declined when Patel expressed his desire to reconcile. The woman said that she wanted to remain with her new partner.
Patel got enraged by her refusal and allegedly stabbed her in the neck.
After she failed to return, the woman’s partner repeatedly messaged her. He eventually called the police, according to local media reports. Officers visited the building to locate Patel and the woman but left after her partner was unable to identify the apartment she had entered.
Patel’s friends, who were supposed to meet him that night, went to his apartment after he failed to show up and found the dead woman near a washing machine.
The woman’s autopsy revealed multiple defensive wounds.
After killing the woman, Patel allegedly rushed to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in an attempt to flee to India. However, he could not buy a ticket because the counter was closed. He then reportedly checked into a nearby hotel and disposed of the knife allegedly used in the murder. He later went to a Target store and purchased new clothes.
He bought a flight ticket to India the following day, but police arrested him before he could board the plane.
During questioning, Patel reportedly said he had not intended to kill his wife but “finished her” after she told him she wanted to stay with her new partner.
