Indian-origin man in US kills wife for dating colleague, tries to go to India

Mangalore Today News Network

US, Oct 16, 2026: A 31-year-old Indian-origin man, Ankur Patel, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing his estranged wife to death in Chicago, United States, after she refused to reconcile with him and chose to stay with her new partner.

The incident took place in August, nearly three months after Patel and his 32-year-old wife, with whom he has a daughter, separated. The woman had moved out of their home in Wisconsin in May.

According to reports, the woman briefly returned to live with Patel after their separation due to pressure from family members. However, she left again soon after, began dating one of their former colleagues and moved to Louisiana. She allowed their daughter to stay with Patel, the Times of India reported.

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

About two weeks before the killing, Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago. He also sent his daughter to live with his parents in India without informing his wife.

Patel later invited the woman to Chicago, reportedly to meet their daughter. Unaware that the child had been sent to India, the woman travelled to the city with her new partner.

Upon reaching the building, her partner waited outside while she went to Patel’s apartment. However, she was shocked to discover that their daughter was not there. Patel instead expressed his desire to reconcile, but the woman refused and told him she wanted to remain with her new partner.

Enraged by her response, Patel allegedly stabbed her in the neck, TOI reported.

Meanwhile, the woman’s partner repeatedly messaged her when she failed to return. He eventually called the police, according to local media reports. Officers visited the building to locate Patel and the woman but left after her partner was unable to identify the apartment she had entered.

The murder came to light when Patel’s friends, who were supposed to meet him that night, went to his apartment after he failed to show up. They found the woman dead near a washing machine, while Patel was missing.

Local media reports said the woman’s autopsy revealed multiple defensive wounds.

Following the killing, Patel allegedly 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 reportedly checked into a nearby hotel and disposed of the knife allegedly used in the murder, the publication added.

Patel later went to a Target store and purchased new clothes.

The following day, he bought 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 “finished her" after she told him she wanted to stay with her new partner.

Patel has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.