Ten years ago, on April 12, 2015, a chilling crime shook a small donut shop in Maryland, USA. Bhadresh Patel, a native of Viramgam, Gujarat, allegedly murdered his wife, Palak Patel, in a gruesome attack and vanished without a trace. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, including the FBI, Bhadresh remains a fugitive, evading capture to this day.
Bhadresh and Palak, who hailed from Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad, had married in India before traveling to the United States on a visitor visa. The couple settled in Maryland, where they worked at a donut shop. On the fateful day, an argument reportedly erupted between them during their shift. According to accounts, both entered the shop’s kitchen together, but only Bhadresh emerged. Shortly afterward, Palak’s body was discovered in the bakery, brutally killed with multiple wounds inflicted by a sharp weapon.
Bhadresh fled the scene as if nothing had happened. Local police registered a murder case and launched a manhunt, but their efforts fell short. The investigation was soon handed over to the FBI due to the complexity of tracking the suspect. Authorities believe Bhadresh fled the U.S. shortly after the crime, with speculation suggesting he may have crossed into Canada. Sources indicate he is no longer in the United States but likely remains in a nearby region, possibly surrounded by acquaintances who could be aiding him, making the FBI’s task of apprehending him even more challenging.
The FBI has since placed Bhadresh on its Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals list and offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Despite these efforts, the Gujarat-born fugitive continues to elude justice, leaving behind a trail of mystery and a grieving family. As the tenth anniversary of Palak’s tragic death passes, the search for Bhadresh Patel remains active, with authorities determined to bring him to account for his heinous act.
