On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, police in Pekin, Illinois arrested 93-year-old James Pate after he admitted to killing his wife, 80-year-old Cheryl Pate, during a violent argument.
According to New York Post, authorities said the couple was planning to divorce.
James told investigators that he had been carrying a lot of anger for years, and on that day it finally reached the breaking point where he couldn’t control it anymore.
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| Cheryl Pate |
According to police reports, the tragic incident began while the couple was inside their car.
James said they had a heated argument, and when Cheryl tried to scratch his face, he struck her.
Moments later, he pulled a knife from the center console and slashed her throat, as per police reports.
Police arrived at the scene on the 1800 block of South 14th Street, where they found James covered in blood.
Cheryl was rushed to OSF Hospital in Peoria, but doctors pronounced her dead shortly after arrival.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood later confirmed that an autopsy showed Cheryl died from “multiple sharp and blunt force injuries that were not compatible with life and unsurvivable.”
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| James Pate |
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| The Crime Scene |
James Pate was immediately arrested and charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Tazewell County Jail.
Prosecutors have already filed a petition to deny him pretrial release, meaning he may remain in custody while the case moves forward.
Investigators said the couple’s marriage had been troubled for a while, but the exact number of years they were married is unknown.
James admitted that he and Cheryl were preparing to file for divorce, but his resentment and “pent-up anger” led to the deadly confrontation.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” he reportedly confessed during his interview with police.
The case has left many in Pekin stunned, not only because of the brutality but also because of the ages involved.
Neighbors told reporters they never expected such violence from the elderly couple.
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