The search for an Indian-origin fugitive accused of killing his wife in the United States has entered a new phase, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $1 million, highlighting the seriousness of the case that has remained unsolved for more than a decade.

Authorities are continuing their nationwide and international search for Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, who has been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since April 2017. Patel is accused of murdering his 21-year-old wife, Palak Patel, in April 2015 while the couple was working together at a donut shop in Hanover, Maryland.

According to investigators, the crime took place late on the night of April 12, 2015, during the couple’s night shift at the store located on Arundel Mills Boulevard. Officials believe Patel attacked his wife in a back room of the shop just before midnight, allegedly stabbing or striking her multiple times with an object. After the assault, he fled the scene through the rear door, leaving his wife fatally injured.

The incident came to light when a customer entered the shop and noticed that no one was present to take an order. The customer alerted a nearby police officer, who entered the store and discovered Palak Patel’s body. Investigators later described the scene as brutal and deeply disturbing.

Authorities believe Patel acted quickly after the attack. He reportedly walked across the street to the apartment he shared with his wife, gathered a few personal belongings and some cash, and then hailed a taxi. The cab driver took him to a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Records show he checked in around 3 a.m. with no luggage, wearing only the clothes he had on. About seven hours later, he checked out and took a hotel shuttle to Newark Penn Station. That remains the last confirmed sighting of him.

Soon after the killing, a federal arrest warrant was issued charging Patel with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, along with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault, and weapons-related charges. Investigators suspected he might attempt to leave the country, prompting the FBI to join the search.

Over the years, officials have considered several possible motives. Investigators believe Palak Patel may have wanted to return to India after the couple’s visas expired shortly before the incident, while her husband reportedly opposed the idea. Although the exact motive remains unclear, officials noted that Patel’s actions after the crime suggested careful planning and a calculated escape.

The FBI has gradually increased the reward for information about Patel, starting at $100,000, then rising to $250,000, and now reaching $1 million — the standard reward for fugitives placed on the Ten Most Wanted list. Authorities say the increase reflects both the severity of the crime and the importance of bringing the case to a close.

Officials warn that Patel should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Investigators believe he may still have contacts in the United States, or he may have traveled to Canada or India after fleeing New Jersey.

More than ten years after the killing, the FBI says it remains committed to finding Patel and delivering justice for Palak Patel, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. (Source: FBI)