Gujarati Man in Charged With Murdering Estranged Wife in US Over Her New Relationship, Tried to Flee to India

A Gujarati man, Ankur Patel, 32, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his estranged wife to death in Chicago, US, because she refused to reconcile with him and wanted to remain with her new partner.

The incident took place in August, nearly three months after Patel and his 32-year-old wife separated. The couple, who have a daughter together, had lived in Wisconsin before the woman moved out in May. According to local media reports, she briefly returned to live with Patel following pressure from family members but left again soon afterwards and moved to Louisiana, where she began dating a former colleague.

Threats and Disputes After Separation

Officials said Patel allegedly threatened to kill his estranged wife and her new partner. He also reportedly prevented her from speaking to their daughter, leading to frequent arguments between the two.

Around two weeks before the killing, Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago and sent their daughter to live with his parents in India without informing his wife. He later invited the woman to Chicago, reportedly telling her that she could meet their daughter.

Unaware that their daughter had been sent to India, the woman travelled to Chicago with her new partner. Her partner waited outside Patel's apartment building while she went inside. However, she discovered that their daughter was not there. Patel then expressed his desire to reconcile, but the woman refused and told him that she wanted to remain with her new partner.

Woman Found Dead in Apartment

According to reports, Patel became angry after the exchange and allegedly stabbed his wife in the neck.

Meanwhile, the woman's partner repeatedly messaged her when she failed to return. He eventually contacted the police. Local media reported that officers visited the building to locate Patel and the woman but left after her partner could not identify the apartment she had entered.

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 found the woman dead near a washing machine, while Patel was missing. Her autopsy reportedly revealed multiple defensive wounds.

Accused Allegedly Tried to Escape to India

After the killing, Patel reportedly 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 checked into a nearby hotel and allegedly disposed of the knife used in the killing.

Patel subsequently went to a Target store and bought new clothes. The following day, he purchased a flight ticket to India, but police arrested him before he could board the plane.

During questioning, Patel reportedly said he had not intended to kill his wife but had "finished her" after she told him she wanted to stay with her new partner. He has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.