Prime suspect in 2016 Northbrook murder arrested in Mexico, US Marshals say

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A man wanted for allegedly committing a murder in Northbrook in 2016 was found in Mexico, and officials say he has been returned to face charges.

John Panaligan is 57 now. He disappeared in 2017. At the time, he was a suspect in the murder two months earlier of Victor Jigar Patel, who was strangled to death in his Northbrook law office. He was 36.

Patel was an attorney representing former business partners who were suing Panaligan.

Two days after the murder, Panaligan was detained at the Canadian border over accusations that he tried to smuggle a firearm.

He was later sent back and was questioned by Northbrook police, after which he became the prime suspect.

The U.S. Marshals Service believes Panaligan fled to Mexico before a warrant was issued for first-degree murder.

He was placed on the agency’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives list in 2020.

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