Prosecutors revealed on Tuesday that a Chicago man enticed his separated wife to travel across the country with the promise of reuniting her with their 5-year-old daughter, only to murder her upon arrival. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Ankur Patel mimicking stabbing and slicing actions with a knife before purchasing it, the same weapon believed to have been used in the murder.
Ankur Patel, 31, and his wife, whose name has not been disclosed, were separated but shared a 5-year-old daughter who resides with Patel’s parents in India, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara. The woman left Patel in May and began a relationship with another man who had formerly worked with both Patel and the victim.
Attempting to reconcile due to family pressure, the woman returned to live briefly with Patel in Wisconsin in July but soon moved out, leaving their daughter with him. Prosecutors allege that Patel subsequently made threatening calls to harm both the woman and her new partner and restricted her contact with their daughter.
Two weeks ago, Patel relocated to Chicago to stay with relatives and sent their daughter to India to live with his parents without informing his estranged wife. He also kept some of his belongings at a friend’s apartment on North Avers Avenue, Pekara stated.
On August 7, Patel contacted his wife, who was in Louisiana with her new boyfriend, inviting her to Chicago to collect their daughter. Unaware that their daughter had been sent to India, she traveled to Chicago with her boyfriend to retrieve the child.
The following day at around 4:30 p.m., Patel was seen on surveillance purchasing a small folding knife near the apartment on Avers Avenue. Prosecutors state that he used this knife to kill his wife. Video footage captured Patel demonstrating stabbing motions with the knife before purchasing it. He then went to the apartment to wait for her arrival, Pekara added.
Video footage showed the woman approaching the apartment, where Patel briefly stepped outside to lead her in. Inside, they argued over his desire to reconcile, which Patel reportedly recorded on his phone. Although no physical violence was visible in the footage, Patel allegedly later attacked the woman, stabbing her in the neck. The autopsy revealed she had multiple defensive wounds, including a severe cut on her left arm.
Patel is said to have removed his bloodied pants, leaving them near the woman’s body in the apartment. Surveillance footage captured him leaving at around 7:05 p.m.
Outside, the woman’s new boyfriend, who had been waiting, repeatedly messaged her without a response. Concerned, he called 911 at about 7:30 p.m., explaining the situation to the officers, Pekara detailed.
Chicago Police Department officers attempted to reach both the woman and Patel by phone but were unsuccessful. Unaware of the exact apartment the woman entered, they eventually left the scene.
Later that evening, Patel’s friends, worried by his absence at a dinner meeting, went to the apartment and discovered the woman’s body near a washing machine, prompting them to call 911.
Prosecutors claim Patel immediately fled toward O’Hare International Airport after the incident. He took an Uber and tried to buy a ticket to India, but the counter was closed. He then headed to a nearby Target, where surveillance footage showed him purchasing new shoes and clothes before checking into a motel, where he disposed of the knife. Police later recovered the weapon.
The next morning, Patel returned to O’Hare and managed to purchase a ticket to India, but the Chicago Police Department had already notified federal authorities of his possible attempt to flee. The Department of Homeland Security informed CPD of his ticket purchase, leading to his arrest at the airport, Pekara said.
In an interview, Patel reportedly stated he had not initially intended to kill his wife but did so after she mentioned staying with her new boyfriend, according to Pekara.
Judge D’Anthony Thedford has ordered that Patel be held in custody until trial.
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