A 75-year-old Miami-Dade man has been charged with attempted felony murder after authorities say he stabbed his sleeping wife in the back multiple times before dragging her outside by her hair as emergency responders arrived at their apartment complex.
Pratapsinh K. Thakor was taken into custody and faces charges of attempted felony murder causing injury and domestic battery causing harm in connection with the violent incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 1.
Background
According to a probable cause affidavit, Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call at approximately 1 a.m. on Sept. 1 at the couple's apartment located in the 1400 block of Northeast Miami Gardens Drive. The investigation revealed a disturbing account of unprovoked violence within what should have been a place of safety for the victim.
The affidavit states that Thakor entered the couple's bedroom without being provoked and began stabbing his wife in the back while she slept, striking her multiple times before she woke up to the assault. Once conscious, the victim immediately recognized what was happening and begged her husband to stop the attack.
"Once the victim woke up, she begged for the defendant to stop," the affidavit states.
Despite her pleas, Thakor continued the assault even after his wife managed to disarm him by wresting the knife away. With the weapon removed from his hand, investigators say he switched tactics and began punching his wife with a closed fist about her body, continuing the violence until she was able to break free temporarily.
The victim used that opportunity to call 911 and report the attack. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Thakor holding his wife by the hair while she lay on the ground outside their apartment.
The Investigation
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Florida Aventura HCA Trauma Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Medical staff documented that she suffered a punctured lung, two lacerations to the left side of her back, a laceration to her left arm, and a bloody mouth. A lethal cutting instrument was recovered from the scene, according to the affidavit.
Investigators say Thakor made an unsolicited statement after being taken into custody in which he denied any involvement in the attack. A motive for the stabbing has not yet been determined by authorities.
Thakor was initially transported to the sheriff's Intracoastal District Station before being booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. During a bond hearing on Wednesday, a judge ordered Thakor held without bond. His next court appearance had not yet been scheduled at the time of reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Pratapsinh K. Thakor, 75, has been charged with attempted felony murder causing injury and domestic battery causing harm
- The attack occurred in the couple's bedroom while the victim slept, according to police
- The victim suffered a punctured lung, two back lacerations, an arm laceration, and facial injuries requiring hospitalization
- Thakor allegedly dragged his wife outside by her hair as first responders arrived at their Northeast Miami Gardens Drive apartment
- A judge ordered him held without bond during Wednesday's hearing
What's Next
Thakor remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center pending further court proceedings. Investigators continue to examine evidence from the scene, including the weapon recovered, while working to establish a potential motive for the attack. The victim remains hospitalized recovering from her injuries.