CHICAGO- Ankur Patel, a 31-year-old Chicago man of Indian origin, was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing his estranged wife in August. Prosecutors said Patel lured her to Chicago by promising that she could meet their five-year-old daughter.
The woman, whose name was not released, had separated from Patel and started a relationship with a former colleague. Investigators allege that Patel planned the meeting despite having sent the child to India, then stabbed his estranged wife before attempting to flee the United States.
Ankur Patel Allegedly Planned Fatal Meeting in Chicago
According to prosecutors, the woman left Patel in May and began dating one of their former colleagues.
Following pressure from family members, she briefly gave Patel another chance and moved back in with him in Wisconsin. However, she left again soon afterward and allowed their daughter to remain with Patel.
Prosecutors alleged that Patel subsequently threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her new partner over the phone. He also stopped allowing the woman to speak with their daughter, adding to the conflict between the separated couple.
Daughter Sent to India Before the Meeting
Approximately two weeks before the alleged murder, Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago and sent his daughter to live with his parents in India. Prosecutors said he did not inform his estranged wife about the child’s departure.
Instead, Patel invited the woman to Chicago under the pretext of allowing her to meet their daughter. By then, she had moved to Louisiana with her new partner. The woman and the man drove to Chicago to collect the child, unaware that she had already been sent to India.
Surveillance Footage Shows Knife Purchase
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a store that allegedly showed Patel purchasing a small folding knife before the encounter. According to the account presented by prosecutors, the footage also showed him making stabbing and slicing motions with the knife.
Patel then went to the apartment where he had arranged to meet his estranged wife. Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara said surveillance footage captured the pair arguing during their encounter.
Patel reportedly expressed his desire to reconcile with the woman. Prosecutors said he recorded parts of the argument on his phone, although the footage did not show physical violence during the initial exchange.
Pekara alleged that Patel later produced the knife and stabbed the woman in the neck. An autopsy found multiple defensive wounds, including a deep laceration on her left arm, according to the information presented in the case.
Boyfriend Called 911 After Losing Contact
The woman’s new partner was waiting outside the building and repeatedly messaged her while she was inside. When she did not respond, he called 911 and explained the situation.
The Chicago Police Department attempted to contact both the woman and Patel but could not reach either of them. Officers went to the building but left after the boyfriend could not identify the apartment she had entered.
Later that night, Patel had plans to meet friends but failed to appear. His friends went to the apartment to look for him and found the woman lying near a washing machine. They then called 911.
Patel Allegedly Tried to Flee to India
After the killing, Patel reached O’Hare International Airport in Chicago but could not purchase a ticket to India because the ticket counter was closed. He checked into a nearby hotel and allegedly disposed of the knife.
Patel subsequently visited a Target store, where he used his debit card to purchase new shoes and clothing. The following day, he returned to the airport and bought a ticket to India.
However, the Department of Homeland Security had already been alerted, and authorities arrested him before he could leave the country.
Patel’s Statement to Police
According to the account of his police interview, Patel said he had not wanted to kill his estranged wife but had “finished her” after she told him she would remain with her new partner and would not return to him.
Prosecutors charged Patel with first-degree murder. The allegations describe a sequence involving threats, a meeting arranged under false pretences, the fatal stabbing, and an attempted departure for India.
The charge represents the prosecution’s case, and the allegations should be distinguished from any findings established in court.
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