"he told police he had a “religious obligation” to kill his father"
A 28-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing his father in Illinois with a sledgehammer.
Abhijit Patel is accused of bludgeoning his 67-year-old father, Anupam Patel, to death with a sledgehammer at their home in Schaumburg.
The killing allegedly took place during Thanksgiving weekend.
Cook County prosecutors said Anupam Patel was found unresponsive and bleeding from the head in his bedroom shortly before 11 am on November 29.
He was discovered by his wife after she returned home from work earlier than usual.
Prosecutors told the court that Anupam Patel’s wife left for work at around 5:42 am, leaving her husband and son alone at home.
Anupam Patel, who was unemployed due to diabetes, had a glucose monitor linked to his wife’s phone.
Anupam Patel usually called his wife at around 8 am to inform her of his blood sugar levels. He failed to do so on the day of the incident, causing concern as his glucose readings began to drop.
After repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach her husband and son, she returned home around 10:30 am. She found her husband lying in bed, covered in blood.
Prosecutors said she noticed the garage door was unusually open.
She also encountered her son, who told her he had “taken care of Dad” and that she “should go check on him”.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after her call and pronounced Anupam Patel dead at the scene. Police recovered a sledgehammer from inside the house.
An autopsy revealed Anupam Patel had suffered at least two blows to the head, fracturing his skull and breaking his nose.
Abhijit Patel surrendered to police when officers arrived at the home.
During questioning, he told police he had a “religious obligation” to kill his father for allegedly molesting him during childhood.
He also admitted he was undergoing medical treatment. Doctors treating him believe his claims are “delusional”, prosecutors said.
Court records show Abhijit Patel has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was previously hospitalised for treatment.
Prosecutors said he admitted bringing a sledgehammer into his father’s bedroom while he was lying awake in bed.
They told the court he confessed to striking his father multiple times with the weapon. He then placed the sledgehammer next to his father before leaving the room.
At the time of the killing, Abhijit Patel was subject to an active protection order prohibiting contact with his father. Prosecutors said he had previously made threats to kill him.
Despite the order, his parents allowed him to continue living at home. The protection order remains in effect until January 2027.
Abhijit Patel is being held without bail and is prohibited from contacting his mother. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 19.
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