93-year-old husband stabs his wife to death during argument in car because he “couldn’t take it anymore”

A Marriage Ends in Tragedy: 93-Year-Old Husband Fatally Stabs Wife During Car Argument

In a deeply unsettling incident that has shocked the community of Pekin, Illinois, a 93-year-old man, James E. Pate, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl Pate, to death during a heated argument in their car. 

The tragic event unfolded on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and has since drawn national attention due to its disturbing nature and the age of those involved.

According to police reports and an affidavit obtained by local news outlets, the couple had been planning to divorce, and tensions between them had apparently reached a breaking point. During the argument, Cheryl allegedly lunged at James in an attempt to scratch his face. In response, James claimed he shoved her away, struck her, and then retrieved a knife from the center console of the vehicle. He proceeded to slash her throat, later telling authorities that he “couldn’t take it anymore”.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found James covered in blood and Cheryl unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel transported her to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. An autopsy conducted by the Peoria County Coroner’s Office revealed that Cheryl had suffered multiple sharp force injuries deemed “incompatible with life and unsurvivable”.

The Pekin Police Department confirmed the arrest and stated that the case remains under investigation. The Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a petition to deny James Pate’s pretrial release, citing the severity of the crime and public safety concerns.

This tragic case has left many grappling with the complexities of domestic conflict, aging, and mental health. While details about the couple’s marriage remain sparse, the violent end to their relationship underscores the unpredictable nature of human emotion, even in the twilight years of life. As the legal process unfolds, the community mourns the loss of Cheryl Pate and reflects on the devastating consequences of unresolved anger and despair.

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Latest Developments in the Pekin Stabbing Case: James Pate Faces Murder Charges

Authorities have now officially charged Pate with two counts of first-degree murder following the incident that occurred on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

According to court documents and police affidavits, the couple had been planning to divorce, and tensions had reportedly escalated over time. During the fatal confrontation, Pate claimed that Cheryl lunged at him in an attempt to scratch his face. He responded by pushing her away, striking her, and then retrieving a knife from the car’s center console, which he used to slash her throat. Officers later recovered the weapon in nearby woods, where Pate admitted to discarding it.

Cheryl was found lying on the pavement next to their parked car, covered in blood and unresponsive. She was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed she suffered “multiple sharp force injuries that were incompatible with life and unsurvivable”.

James Pate appeared in Tazewell County Circuit Court via video conferencing on Thursday, September 4. His attorney, Public Defender Luke Taylor, waived the need for prosecutors to establish probable cause and conceded to pretrial detention for the time being. The next court date is scheduled for October 2, though a detention hearing may be held sooner.

The case remains under active investigation by the Pekin Police Department and Illinois State Police. Prosecutors have emphasized the severity of the charges and the potential threat to public safety, despite Pate’s advanced age. The community continues to grapple with the shocking nature of the crime, which has raised broader questions about domestic conflict and mental health in elderly populations.