Son Used Sledgehammer To Kill Elderly Father In Schaumburg: Prosecutors

SCHAUMBURG, IL — The son of a 67-year-old Schaumburg man found dead at a home over the weekend is being charged with first-degree murder. Anupam Patel died Saturday as a result of blunt head trauma injuries sustained in an assault in the 1100 block of Salem Drive.

Prosecutors tell Patch Abhijit Patel, 28, has been charged in his father's death. They say the younger Pate used a sledgehammer in the attack, and had a "history of threatening to kill the victim."

According to Schaumburg police, officers and fire department personnel were dispatched to the residence at around 10:45 a.m. for a report of "a man unresponsive and bleeding from the head." Anupam Patel was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide following an autopsy.

Abhijit Patel was taken into custody following an investigation. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charge. He appeared in court Monday, where a judge ordered him to remain in custody until trial, with his next court date scheduled for Dec. 19.

Schaumburg police said the department's detectives and forensic personnel are conducting the homicide investigation. They added that the incident was isolated to persons known to each other and there is no threat to the public.

RELATED: Man's Death From 'Blunt Head Trauma' Ruled Homicide — Coroner