Indian-origin schizophrenic man charged for father's murder

Abhijit Patel accused his father of molesting him as a child, a claim attributed to his medical condition by his doctors.

Representative image / Pexels

A 28-year-old Indian-origin man has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly bludgeoning his 67-year-old father to death with a Sledgehammer in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Abhijit Patel, diagnosed with schizophrenia as per records, had an active order of protection against him from his family but was allowed to stay at home by his parents because of prior threats. Patel allegedly walked into his father's room and delivered multiple blows with the weapon, before leaving the weapon at the spot, as per Patch News.

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The victim was found dead by his wife who returned from work after he failed to respond to repeated phone calls. Abhijit Patel surrendered as soon as the police arrived and claimed that he had the "religious obligation" to kill his father who had allegedly molested him when he was a child, a claim that Patel's doctors believe could be a product of his schizophrenia.

Patel is being held without bail and is prohibited from contacting his mother. His next hearing is scheduled for December 19

Comments

ZI

Zafar Iqbal

2025-12-18 00:00:00

Recent reports of intrafamilial homicide, including incidents in which adult children have killed their parents, highlight a recurring association with untreated or inadequately managed mental illness. In several cases, the alleged perpetrators were reported to have significant psychological disorders. These events occur alongside a broader pattern of severe violence, including mass killings involving military-style firearms, suggesting systemic shortcomings in mental health assessment, treatment accessibility, and long-term care. Addressing these failures requires a coordinated, evidence-based response from public authorities, including early identification of high-risk individuals, expanded access to psychiatric services, and the implementation of sustained, structured treatment programs. A comprehensive and compassionate public health approach to severe mental illness may substantially reduce the likelihood of such extreme acts of violence. Zafar Iqbal