Illinois Man Accused of Killing Father With Sledgehammer Told His Mother to “Go Check on Him,” Prosecutors Say
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS — A 28-year-old Illinois man is accused of brutally killing his father with a sledgehammer and then calling his mother at work to tell her she “should go check on him,” according to Cook County prosecutors. The disturbing case has stunned the Schaumburg community and raised new questions about mental health intervention and prior threats that went unheeded.
Authorities say Abhijit Patel was taken into custody on Saturday and ordered held without bond after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father, 67-year-old Anupam Patel. He appeared in court on Monday as prosecutors outlined a sequence of events that began with a routine morning check-in — and ended in a gruesome discovery.
Mother Became Worried When Glucose Readings Dropped
According to prosecutors, the victim’s wife — who monitors his diabetes through a smartphone glucose app — became concerned when Anupam failed to call her at 8 a.m., a daily routine to update her on his blood sugar levels.
His readings began dropping, and neither her husband nor her son answered their phones.
When she arrived home around 10:30 a.m., prosecutors said the garage was unlocked, which was unusual. Inside the house, she encountered her son, who allegedly told her:
“He had taken care of his father, and she should go check on him.”
She went to the bedroom and found her husband covered in blood, lying motionless in bed.
Sledgehammer Found Beside the Victim’s Body
The mother called 911 immediately. When police arrived, prosecutors said Abhijit put his hands up and surrendered without resistance.
Officers found a sledgehammer lying next to the victim’s bed. Anupam was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed he suffered at least two blows to the head, resulting in a fractured skull and broken nose, consistent with the brutal attack investigators described.
Suspect Claimed a “Religious Duty,” But Doctors Called His Beliefs Delusional
During questioning, investigators said Abhijit claimed he had a “religious duty” to kill his father. He reportedly alleged past abuse, but medical professionals had previously deemed these beliefs delusional.
Court documents obtained by Arlington Cardinal show Abhijit had a documented history of mental health issues. He had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Prosecutors also confirmed that Abhijit was already under an active order of protection prohibiting any contact with his father due to previous threats to kill him. The order went into effect in January 2025 and was valid through January 2027.
Red Flags Before the Killing: Threats, Psychiatric Holds, and Campus Ban
Authorities outlined a pattern of alarming behavior in the year leading up to the killing.
In November 2024, Abhijit allegedly posted disturbing messages on social media and sent troubling comments to group chats involving his fellow students at the University of Illinois Chicago. As a result, he was banned from campus until a psychiatric evaluation could be completed.
His behavior, prosecutors said, clearly escalated in the months before he allegedly carried out the fatal attack.
Judge Orders No Bond and Bars Contact With Mother
A Cook County judge ordered Abhijit held without bond, citing the violent nature of the crime and the defendant’s history of threats and psychiatric concerns. He was also ordered to have no contact with his mother, who discovered the victim’s body.
Abhijit Patel’s next court date is scheduled for December 19, where prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence.
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