Illinois Attorney’s 2016 Murder: ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive Captured in Mexico
Authorities in Mexico have apprehended John Panaligan, a 57-year-old man connected to the 2016 strangling death of Illinois attorney Victor Jigar Patel. The U.S. Marshals Service announced Panaligan’s arrest in Tepic, Mexico, on Monday, marking the end of a nearly eight-year manhunt.
Panaligan was placed on the U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted fugitives list in 2020 and was deported back to the United States on Tuesday, according to official reports.
Patel, 36, was killed in his Northbrook, Illinois, office on December 7, 2016, while representing clients in a civil lawsuit against Panaligan. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis expressed hope that Panaligan’s arrest would provide some comfort to Patel’s family and serve as a reminder that fugitives cannot evade justice.
Alleged Murder Details
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Panaligan scheduled an appointment with Patel using an alias, reportedly to lure him to his office. Security footage captured Panaligan arriving in disguise, leading to the allegation that he killed the attorney during the meeting. Subsequent evidence identified him as the primary suspect in Patel’s murder.
Just days after Patel’s death, Panaligan was detained at the Canadian border for attempting to smuggle a firearm into Canada. However, he was allowed to return to the U.S. for questioning by Northbrook Police regarding the murder.
On February 8, 2017, a warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Panaligan. Authorities believe he fled to Mexico before they could apprehend him.
In November 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service placed Panaligan on its 15 Most Wanted list and offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his capture. Complications in locating him arose from his dual citizenship in the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.
