A tragic incident unfolded in Illinois, where a young man allegedly took the life of his father, leaving a community in shock. The suspect, Abhijit Patel, 28, reportedly reached out to his mother while she was at work, suggesting she should “go check” on his father. This chilling message preceded his arrest and subsequent charge of first-degree murder, as confirmed by local authorities.

Abhijit appeared in court on Monday, facing serious allegations following his arrest on Saturday. The Cook County prosecutors revealed distressing details about the events leading to this crime. On the morning of the incident, Abhijit’s mother attempted to contact both her husband, 67-year-old Anupam Patel, and her son. Her calls went unanswered, prompting her to return to their Schaumburg home. It was there that her son reportedly informed her, in stark terms, that he had “taken care of his father,” advising her to see for herself.

Upon entering the home, she discovered her husband covered in blood, lying in his bed. The gruesome scene was a stark contrast to their daily routine.

Further insights, shared by a local Patch reporter, highlighted the couple’s usual morning practice. Anupam Patel, who was diabetic, typically checked in with his wife at work to update her on his glucose levels, tracked through an app. On that fateful Saturday, however, this routine call never came. Instead, she noticed unusual fluctuations in his glucose readings, which intensified her anxiety.

Her return home around 10:30 a.m. was met with more anomalies. The unlocked garage, a deviation from their normal security habits, hinted that something was amiss. Inside, her son allegedly confessed to using a sledgehammer to fatally bludgeon his father. Overcome with the horrifying reality, she promptly dialed 911 to report the crime.

When police arrived, Abhijit Patel put his hands up as he was detained. Police found a sledgehammer next to the bed where Anupam Patel’s body lay. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed that he had been struck at least twice in the head and had a fractured skull and broken nose.

Police said that when they questioned Abhijit Patel, he told them he had a “religious duty” to kill his father. He claimed that his father purportedly abused him as a child, but that his doctors said his claims were “delusional.” Court records obtained by local news outlet Arlington Cardinal stated that Abhijit Patel had previously been admitted to a psychiatric hospital and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Prosecutors said that Abhijit Patel had an order of protection against him that forbade him from contacting his father, whom he had threatened to kill before. The order went into effect in January 2025 and was meant to last until January 2027.

Abhijit Patel’s disturbing behavior was not limited to his father, prosecutors said. In November 2024, he allegedly made concerning comments on social media and in group chats to his fellow students at the University of Illinois Chicago. He was banned from campus until he was evaluated by a psychiatrist.

Abhijit Patel was charged with first-degree murder and ordered by a judge to be held without bond. He was also ordered not to contact his mother. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 19.