Indian-origin man accused of stabbing estranged wife to death in US after she refused reconciliation
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 remain with her new partner, according to local media reports.
The incident took place in August, nearly three months after the couple separated. The victim, 32, and Patel shared a daughter.
Couple separated after marital discord
According to reports, the woman moved out of their Wisconsin home in May following the separation.
She briefly returned to Patel after pressure from family members but left again soon afterwards. She subsequently began dating a former colleague and moved to Louisiana, leaving their daughter in Patel's care.
Investigators said Patel allegedly threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her new partner. He also reportedly prevented the woman from speaking to their daughter, leading to repeated arguments between the two.
Around two weeks before the killing, Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago and sent their daughter to India to live with his parents without informing his estranged wife, reports said.
Woman stabbed after refusing to reconcile
Patel later reportedly invited his estranged wife to Chicago to meet their daughter. Unaware that the child had been sent to India, the woman travelled to the city with her new partner.
Her partner waited outside the building while she went to Patel's apartment. However, she was shocked to discover that their daughter was not there.
Patel allegedly then asked his estranged wife to reconcile, but she refused and told him she intended to remain with her new partner. Enraged by her response, Patel allegedly stabbed her in the neck.
Meanwhile, the woman's partner repeatedly messaged her when she failed to return. He eventually contacted the police, who reportedly visited the building but left after he was unable to identify the apartment she had entered.
Friends discover woman's body
The killing came to light later that night when Patel's friends, who were supposed to meet him, went to his apartment after he failed to show up.
They reportedly discovered the woman's body near a washing machine, while Patel was missing.
According to local media reports, the woman's autopsy revealed multiple defensive wounds, suggesting she had attempted to protect herself during the attack.
Accused tried to flee to India
Following the killing, Patel reportedly went to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in an attempt to flee to India.
However, he was unable to purchase a ticket because the counter was closed.
He allegedly checked into a nearby hotel and disposed of the knife used in the killing. He later visited a Target store to purchase new clothes, reports said.
The following day, Patel bought a flight ticket to India. However, police arrested him before he could board the plane.
During questioning, Patel reportedly told investigators that he had not intended to kill his wife but had "finished her" after she said she wanted to remain with her new partner.
Patel has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The case remains a criminal matter, and the allegations against him have yet to be established in court.
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