Police searching for man accused of killing Prospect Heights lawyer
A former Aurora resident is wanted for the murder of an attorney from Prospect Heights in his downtown Northbrook office in December, police announced Monday.
Northbrook police said they've issued a warrant for the arrest of John G. Panaligan, 50, whose last known address was on the 2200 block of Boxford Court in Aurora.
Panaligan strangled Jigar K. Patel, 36, in his office at 1363 Shermer Road, police said.
Police Chief Charles Wernick provided few details about the crime but said "one of the motives" was that Patel represented a client who was suing the home health care company Panaligan owned, Naperville-based Vital Wellness Home Health Inc., in a long-running case.
Wernick declined to comment on other possible motives.
Police believe Panaligan - who was born in the Philippines - has fled the Chicago area but is somewhere in the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service is assisting with the search and says he's "extremely dangerous."
A $3,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call (888) 869-4590.
Panaligan is described as an Asian male, 5-feet 5-inches, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
"We never believed that there was any threat to the community," Wernick said. "This was not a random act ... he was targeted by Mr. Panaligan."
On Dec. 7, 2016, Patel's wife called police at 7:30 p.m. to report her husband missing. He had been seen by a secretary about 4 p.m. that day. Police went to his office in Northbrook, next to the Metra station, and found him dead on the floor.
Police declined to give any additional details about the death. The autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled Patel's death a homicide caused by asphyxia and strangulation.
Police said surveillance video from Patel's office building showed Panaligan entering and exiting dressed in a coat, hat, glasses and walking with a cane. Wernick said Panaligan is not disabled - "quite the opposite" - and the cane was part of his disguise.
Northbrook police issued the first-degree murder warrant five weeks ago but decided, based on their investigation, not to publicly release the information about Panaligan until Monday.
"We have a good, solid case," Wernick said. He praised the investigative work of the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, which assisted Northbrook police with the case.
Patel's family and law firm declined to comment on Monday's developments.
"The Patel family continues to request their privacy. It's a very difficult time for them," Wernick said.