‘It Was My Duty’: Schizophrenic Indian Origin Man Beats Father To Death With Sledgehammer In US | World News
WE: A 28-year-old man of Indian origin has been charged with first-degree murder in the United States for allegedly killing his father with a sledgehammer in their home in Schaumburg, Illinois. The defendant, Abhijit Patel, is facing charges in the death of his father, 67-year-old Anupam Patel, which reportedly occurred over the Thanksgiving weekend.
According to US media reports, Patel had an active protection order issued by his family at the time of the incident, but was still residing in the family’s home. Cook County prosecutors said the victim was found unresponsive and bleeding from his head in his bedroom shortly before 11 a.m. on Nov. 29, after his wife returned home and alerted authorities.
Case Announced
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According to NDTV reports, details disclosed by investigators reveal that Anupam Patel’s wife left for work around 5:42 that morning, leaving her husband and son alone at home. Unable to get hired due to diabetes, Anupam Patel used a glucose monitor connected to his wife’s phone. He routinely called his wife around 8 a.m. to share his blood sugar readings, court documents cited by Patch News said. When this call did not come on the day of the incident and his blood sugar began to drop, his wife tried to reach both her husband and her son, but did not receive a response. The woman, who was becoming increasingly worried, returned home around 10:30 in the morning and noticed that the garage door was open. She later told police that her son told her he was “looking after his dad” and suggested she check on him.
She found her husband lying on the bed covered in blood in the bedroom and immediately called the emergency room. Responders arrived at the scene soon after and declared Anupam Patel dead at the scene. Allegedly, a sledgehammer was seized from the house. An autopsy later confirmed that the victim suffered at least two serious blows to the head, resulting in a fractured skull and nose, authorities said.
Patel’s Statement to the Police
Police said the victim’s son, Abhijit Patel, surrendered without any resistance when cops arrived at the scene. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly told investigators that he believed it was his “religious duty” to kill his father and claimed that his father had molested him in his childhood. Authorities also stated that Patel informed them that he was receiving medical treatment, and doctors have since stated that the allegations against his father were considered ‘delusional’.
Court records show Patel was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had previously been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment.
Prosecutors told the court that Patel admitted taking a sledgehammer into his father’s bedroom while Anupam Patel was awake and lying in bed. He allegedly admitted to hitting his father several times before placing the gun next to him and leaving the room.
At the time of the incident, Patel was prohibited from contacting his father under an active protection order issued after he allegedly threatened to kill his father. Despite this, his parents allowed him to continue living in the family home. The protection order will remain in effect until January 2027.
Abhijit Patel is currently being held without bail and has also been banned from contacting his mother. His next hearing will be held on December 19.
