A 28-year-old man of Indian origin has been charged with first-degree murder in the United States after allegedly killing his 67-year-old father with a sledgehammer at their home in Schaumburg, Illinois. The accused, Abhijit Patel, is alleged to have carried out the attack over the Thanksgiving weekend, despite an active order of protection issued against him by his family, US media reports said.
Cook County prosecutors said the victim, Anupam Patel, was found unresponsive and bleeding from the head in his bedroom by his wife shortly before 11 am on November 29. On the morning of the incident, Anupam Patel's wife had left for work around 5:42 am, leaving her husband and son alone in the house.
Court documents cited by Patch News said Anupam Patel was not employed due to diabetes and wore a glucose monitor that was linked to his wife's phone.
Police said Abhijit Patel surrendered at the scene when officers arrived. During questioning, he allegedly told investigators that he believed he had a "religious obligation" to kill his father, claiming his father had molested him during childhood. He also informed police that he was undergoing medical treatment and that doctors had described his allegations against his father as "delusional."
Prosecutors told the court that Abhijit Patel admitted to taking a sledgehammer into his father's bedroom while the latter was lying awake in bed. He allegedly struck his father multiple times before placing the weapon beside him and leaving the room.
At the time of the incident, Abhijit Patel was legally barred from contacting his father due to earlier threats, though his parents had allowed him to continue living at the family home. The order of protection remains in force until January 2027.
Abhijit Patel is currently being held without bail and has been prohibited from contacting his mother. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 19.
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