A 31-year-old Chicago man of Indian origin was arrested at O’Hare International Airport while attempting to leave the United States for India, hours after his estranged wife was found fatally stabbed in an apartment, according to police and prosecutors.

Ankur Patel faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of the 32-year-old woman, who was found in an apartment in Chicago’s Albany Park neighbourhood in August. Prosecutors allege that Patel had arranged for her to travel from Louisiana to Chicago by promising that she could see their five-year-old daughter.

According to the prosecution’s account, the child had already been sent to India to live with Patel’s parents. The woman, who had separated from Patel and begun a relationship with a former colleague, travelled to Chicago with her new partner believing she could collect their daughter.

The allegations were detailed in a court filing and presented by Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara. Patel’s charge has not been established as a conviction.

Prosecutors Allege Patel Arranged Meeting Before Fatal Stabbing

The couple separated in May, according to prosecutors. The woman subsequently began dating a former colleague who had worked with both of them.

After pressure from family members, she briefly returned to live with Patel in Wisconsin, but the reconciliation did not last. She moved out again, allowing their daughter to remain with him, prosecutors said.

Authorities allege that Patel later threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her new partner. He also stopped allowing the woman to speak with their daughter, according to the prosecution’s account.

About two weeks before the fatal encounter, Patel moved in with relatives in Chicago and sent the child to India without informing his estranged wife, prosecutors said.

On August 7, he contacted the woman, who had relocated to Louisiana with her partner, and invited her to Chicago to collect the child.

Investigators subsequently reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Patel buying a small folding knife before the encounter. Prosecutors said the footage captured him making stabbing and slicing motions with the weapon.

The following evening, Patel met his estranged wife at an apartment on North Avers Avenue, according to the prosecution’s account. Pekara said surveillance footage recorded an argument in which Patel expressed a desire to reconcile. Patel also allegedly recorded portions of the exchange on his phone.

Prosecutors allege that Patel later produced the knife and stabbed the woman in the neck. An autopsy found multiple defensive wounds, including a deep cut to her left arm, according to evidence described in court.

The woman’s partner was waiting outside the building and repeatedly messaged her. When she did not respond, he called 911.

Chicago police attempted to contact both Patel and the woman but could not reach them. Officers went to the building but left after the partner was unable to identify the apartment she had entered, according to the prosecution’s account.

The woman was discovered later that night after Patel failed to meet friends as planned. The friends went to the apartment looking for him and found her near a washing machine before calling emergency services.

Airport Arrest Followed Attempt to Leave for India

Prosecutors allege that Patel went to O’Hare International Airport after the stabbing and tried to purchase a ticket to India. The ticket counter was closed, preventing him from buying one that night.

He subsequently checked into a nearby hotel and allegedly disposed of the knife. Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from a Target store where Patel used his debit card to purchase new shoes and clothing, according to the prosecution’s account.

Patel returned to O’Hare the following day and bought a ticket to India. Federal authorities had already been alerted to the possibility that he would attempt to leave the country, prosecutors said. He was arrested at the airport before departing.

During questioning, Patel said he had not intended to kill his estranged wife but had “finished her” after she told him she would remain with her new partner and would not return to him, according to Pekara’s account of the interview.

Patel was charged with first-degree murder and ordered detained pending trial, according to local reporting.

The case remains a criminal prosecution. The allegations about the meeting, the stabbing and Patel’s subsequent movements are the prosecution’s account and should not be treated as findings of guilt.