Inset: Malang Akbari (Cole County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Missouri neighborhood where Malang Akbari allegedly murdered his wife inside their Jefferson City home (KSDK/YouTube).
In a chilling case out of Missouri, a father has confessed to the gruesome murder of his wife, citing allegations of infidelity and food tampering as his motives. According to court documents, the man then made a distressing call to their son, stating, “I killed your mom and I left the house.”
The accused, Malang Akbari, 46, reportedly used a kitchen knife to fatally stab his wife, Manhaz Akbari, in their Jefferson City home. After the attack, he placed her on the floor, resting her head on a pillow, and reportedly remained by her side as she succumbed to her injuries, as detailed in police reports.
In a statement to the police, Akbari claimed, “I sacrificed everything for her,” suggesting he felt cornered into committing the heinous act. The tragic incident has led to first-degree murder charges against him.
Following the stabbing, Akbari called his adult son to inform him of the crime. This prompted the son to rush to his parents’ home, where he discovered his mother lying unresponsive on the kitchen floor, covered in blood.
In the aftermath of the murder, Akbari fled the scene in the family vehicle, taking with him their 18-month-old and 12-year-old daughters. Authorities say he later left the toddler with a relative before being apprehended. Fortunately, the older child was located unharmed, though it remains unclear where she was during the incident.
Later that day, police managed to stop Akbari’s 2015 Honda Odyssey, arresting him without further incident. The case continues to unfold as the community grapples with the shocking events.
Using an interpreter, Malang Akbari told police “he believed there was infidelity within the marriage” and he accused his wife of “tampering with his food,” though it’s unclear how, according to the affidavit.
“He confronted [Manhaz Akbari] in their kitchen about cheating,” the affidavit says. “[Manhaz Akbari] told him that if he would do anything to her then she would report him to law enforcement. [Malang Akbari] said he obtained a kitchen knife from a box in the kitchen and continued his argument.”
According to Malang Akbari’s story, Manhaz Akbari “began screaming and looking around the kitchen.” He believed she was “looking for a knife as well” so he plunged the knife he was wielding into her before she could grab one, according to the affidavit.
“He caught her and laid her to the floor as she was bleeding out,” the affidavit says, recounting Malang Akbari’s claims to police. “He obtained a pillow, placed it underneath [Manhaz Akbari’s] head, and sat with her in the kitchen while she bled out.”
Malang Akbari allegedly admitted to calling his adult son and telling him he had just killed his mother. He contacted other family friends, as well, and advised them to check on Manhaz Akbari, according to the affidavit. Malang Akbari said he went to his brother’s house, who “told him bad words” that led to Malang Akbari “quickly” leaving, cops say.
“I loved her,” he allegedly told police. “I made a mistake. I do regret this.”
Malang Akbari is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Cole County.
