A planned meeting to see her daughter ended in tragedy for a 32-year-old woman who travelled to Chicago with her new partner. Her estranged husband, Ankur Patel, 32, is accused of stabbing her to death after she refused to reconcile with him, according to the allegations in the case.
Patel, a Gujarati man, has been charged with first-degree murder in the United States. Investigators allege that he invited his wife to Chicago, claiming she could meet their daughter, even though the child had already been sent to India to live with his parents.
The woman had been living in Louisiana after leaving their shared home in Wisconsin. She had started a relationship with a former colleague and wanted to move on from her marriage. Patel, however, allegedly wanted her to return to him.
A meeting that turned fatal
The couple had been living apart since May, nearly three months before the alleged killing in August. The woman had briefly returned to live with Patel after family members reportedly urged her to reconsider the separation, but she left again soon afterwards.
According to the allegations, Patel threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her new partner. He also allegedly stopped her from speaking to their daughter, leading to repeated arguments between them.
Around two weeks before the killing, Patel moved into a relative’s home in Chicago. He later sent the couple’s daughter to live with his parents in India without informing his wife.
When Patel invited the woman to Chicago, she reportedly believed the visit would give her an opportunity to see her child. She travelled with her new partner, who waited outside Patel’s apartment building while she went inside.
Once there, she discovered that her daughter was not present. Patel allegedly asked her to reconcile, but she refused, making it clear that she wanted to remain with her new partner.
Investigators allege that Patel became angry during the exchange and stabbed her in the neck.
Her partner raised the alarm
When the woman failed to return, her partner tried contacting her through repeated messages. He eventually called the police.
Officers visited the building to locate the couple. However, they reportedly left after her partner was unable to identify the exact apartment she had entered.
Later that night, Patel’s friends went to his apartment after he failed to turn up for a planned meeting. They found the woman’s body near a washing machine.
Patel was not there when the body was discovered.
An autopsy reportedly found several defensive wounds on the woman’s body, suggesting she may have tried to protect herself during the attack.
Alleged escape plan to India
After the alleged killing, Patel reportedly went to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and attempted to travel to India. He could not purchase a ticket because the counter was closed, according to the account of the incident.
He then checked into a nearby hotel and allegedly disposed of the knife used in the attack. He also visited a Target store to buy fresh clothes.
The following day, Patel reportedly purchased a flight ticket to India. Police arrested him before he could board the flight.
What Patel allegedly told investigators
During questioning, Patel reportedly said he had not intended to kill his wife. However, he allegedly admitted to having killed her after she rejected his request to reconcile and chose to remain with her new partner.
The reported statement forms part of the allegations surrounding the case.
Patel has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his estranged wife’s death. The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the US legal system.
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