Illinois Man, 93, Charged With Murder in Horrific Stabbing Death of His Wife

Authorities in Pekin, Illinois, have charged a 93-year-old man with first-degree murder after police say he admitted to fatally stabbing his wife during a domestic dispute, as reported by The New York Post.

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According to court documents, James Pate told investigators he killed his wife, Cheryl Pate, 80, after an argument escalated inside their vehicle on Tuesday. He said he had ‘a lot of pent-up anger.’

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A 93-year-old man charged with murdering his wife allegedly told police he slashed her throat because he “couldn’t take it anymore.”

James Pate told police in Pekin, that he and his wife, Cheryl Pate, 80, got into a fight in their carhttps://t.co/jCPneCtCs8

— Open News© (@OpenNewNews) September 4, 2025

An affidavit obtained by 25 News Now stated that during the altercation, James Pate struck Cheryl, then he pulled a knife from the center console. He then slit her throat.

Sexual abuse with a man attacking to a scared woman in a dark place

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Police responding to the scene found James Pate covered in blood.

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He reportedly told officers that he and his wife had been planning to divorce, and he admitted during questioning that he “couldn’t take it anymore.”

Emergency responders found the female victim and transported her to a hospital where she died. https://t.co/9wZMt1C2Nf

— KKTV 11 News (@KKTV11News) September 3, 2025

Cheryl Pate was found unresponsive and transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police Activity at Cape Canaveral Hospital Saturday night. The Cocoa Beach Police Department was on scene at the hospital investigating a suspicious incident. Also on scene was a heavy presence of BCSO. Fire trucks and ambulances were staged near the hospital on 520.

The Peoria County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy, which determined that she died from multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries described as “incompatible with life and unsurvivable.”

Daniel Perry is handcuffed after being convicted of murder in the killing of Garrett Foster at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Friday April 7, 2023. Daniel Perry Trial Jwj 20720

The Pekin Police Department confirmed James Pate has been formally charged with first-degree murder. The Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a petition seeking to deny his pretrial release.

Oxnard police were investigating gunfire around Southwinds Park that reportedly left several teens injured Tuesday night, March 4, 2025.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the couple’s marriage or how long they had been together.

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