Indian-origin man accused of murdering elderly father to death with sledgehammer at US home

New Delhi:  A 28-year-old Indian-origin man has been accused of brutally murdering his 67-year-old father with a sledgehammer over a Thanksgiving weekend in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Abhijit Patel has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anupam Patel, a case made more complex by an active order of protection against the son, yet he was still living in the family home at the time of the alleged attack, US media reports.

The horrific scene came to light shortly before 11 am on November 29, when Anupam Patel's wife returned home to find her husband unresponsive and bleeding profusely from the head in their bedroom.

Unanswered calls and growing concern

According to Cook County prosecutors and court documents cited by Patch news, the day began like any other for Anupam Patel's wife. She left for work around 5:42 am, leaving her husband and son, Abhijit, alone in the house. Anupam Patel, who was unemployed due to diabetes, relied on a glucose monitor connected to his wife's phone, and typically called her around 8 am to report his blood sugar levels.

On the day of the incident, that crucial 8 am call never came. As she observed her husband's glucose levels dropping remotely and failed to reach either him or her son by phone, a growing sense of dread prompted her to rush home around 10:30 am. Upon arrival, she noted the garage door was unusually open. Inside, she was met by her son, Abhijit, who chillingly told her he had "taken care of Dad" and she "should go check on him."

Her worst fears were confirmed when she found Anupam Patel lying in his bed, covered in blood. Emergency services were immediately contacted. Responders quickly arrived, but tragically, Anupam Patel was pronounced dead at the scene.

A sledgehammer, believed to be the murder weapon, was discovered nearby. An autopsy later revealed the extent of the violence, confirming Anupam Patel had suffered at least two severe blows to the head, resulting in a fractured skull and a broken nose.

Delusional accusations and a troubling history

Upon the arrival of the authorities, Abhijit Patel surrendered without incident. During police questioning, he reportedly claimed he had a "religious obligation" to kill his father, alleging childhood molestation.

However, prosecutors revealed a critical detail: Abhijit Patel is under medical treatment, and his doctors have reportedly stated that his claims against his father are "delusional." Records indicate that Abhijit Patel has a diagnosed history of schizophrenia and had previously been hospitalised for treatment.

Abhijit Patel confessed to bringing the sledgehammer into his father's room while he was awake in bed, striking him multiple times before placing the weapon beside him and leaving the room.

A protection order ignored

Adding a tragic layer of complexity to the case, Abhijit Patel was subject to an active order of protection, prohibiting him from contacting his father due to previous threats to kill him. This order, which remains active until January 2027, was in place, yet his parents had reportedly allowed him to continue living at home.

Abhijit Patel is currently being held without bail. A condition of his detention includes a prohibition from contacting his mother. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 19, where more details are expected to emerge in this profoundly disturbing case.