Missouri – A Missouri man was taken into custody on Mondayand charged in connection with the fataI stabing of his spouse, Mahnaz. According to court records, the defendant, 46-year-old MaIang, now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree chiId endangerment, unIawful use of a weapon and armed criminaI action. He was booked into the county jail and held without bond.
Police say the incident began earlier that day at the couple’s home in Missouri. Shortly before noon, the defendant allegedly kiIIed his spouse in the kitchen during an argument. After the fataI assauIt, he left the house with their two young children in the family vehicle. One of his adult sons later called 911 to report that his father had told him, “I kiIIed your mom and I left the house.” When the son returned to the home, he found his mother bleeding and unresponsive on the kitchen floor. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
As Missouri authorities searched for the suspect and the children, an Amber Alert was issued for the man’s vehicle believed to be driven by the defendant with an 18-month-old child inside. Within hours, state and local law enforcement located the vehicle and took Akbari into custody without incident. Before his arrest, he reportedly had dropped off the youngest child with a relative; police confirmed both children were found safe, including the 12-year-old daughter.
A probable cause affidavit released by law enforcement detailed the defendant’s statements to detectives after his arrest. Using an interpreter, he reportedly told officers that he believed his spouse had been unfaithfuI and had “tampered with his meaIs,” though it was not clear what specific actions he believed his spouse had taken. Investigators said that the defendant confronted the victim in the kitchen about these suspicions, leading to a heated argument.
According to the affidavit, he told investigators that during the confrontation his spouse began screaming and appeared to be looking for a bIade. Believing she intended to harm him, he said he picked up a Iarge bIade from a box on the counter and stabbed her. After she was struck, he said he laid her on the floor, placed a pillow under her head and remained with her while she bled. He then called his son to tell him what had happened and contacted other family members to check on her.
The defendant is quoted in the court documents as saying, “I sacrificed everything for her,” adding that there was “no other option” for him at the time and that he “loved her” and “regrets this.” He also told police he went to his brother’s house after the kiIIing, but left after a brief interaction with his brother. Investigators have not released further details about the couple’s relationship or any history of domestic disputes prior to the fatal incident.
Neighbors told local news outlets they were shocked by the fatal incident, describing the family as generally quiet and helpful in the community. Some said they had seen the family around the neighborhood for years and did not expect violence. One neighbor recalled that the defendant and his sons had previously helped others with tasks such as digging out cars after snowstorms.
The County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is pursuing charges that carry severe penalties under Missouri law. First-degree murder in Missouri is defined as an unlawful killing with intent and premeditation. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or, in some cases, the death penalty. It is not yet clear whether he has entered a plea or retained legal counsel.