Son Calls 911 to Say Dad Stabbed His Mom in the Kitchen Before Fleeing with His 18-Month-Old Sister

A Missouri man is facing murder and child endangerment charges after authorities say he fatally stabbed his wife and fled their home with their 18-month-old daughter.

Malang Jan Akbari, 46, was arrested Monday, Jan. 12, according to Cole County public arrest records. He is charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child and armed criminal action, per 19th Circuit Court public records.

Court documents state that investigators were called to the family’s home after Akbari’s son dialed 911 around 12:25 p.m. local time on Jan. 12. The son told dispatchers that his father had called and said, “I killed your mom, and I left the house.”

The son then went to the residence and found his mother on the kitchen floor, bleeding and unresponsive, according to the documents. He also told police he could not find his 18-month-old sister, who had been home with their mother. The son said his father was likely driving the family vehicle, a 2015 blue Honda Odyssey.

An Amber Alert was issued for the child. Police later located the Honda and took Akbari into custody that day. The 18-month-old was found at a relative’s home, and the relative told officers that Akbari had dropped the child off there before leaving, court documents say.

Detectives reported that, with the help of an interpreter, they interviewed Akbari after his arrest. He allegedly confessed to killing his wife and leaving the home with his daughter. Akbari told investigators the couple argued that day because he suspected she was cheating on him, according to the documents.

Akbari said he stabbed his wife, laid her on the floor and placed a pillow under her head as she bled, investigators wrote. He then picked up their daughter, said a prayer and left the residence.

Court records also allege Akbari admitted calling his son and other family members after the stabbing to tell them what happened and to ask them to check on his wife. “I loved her. I sacrificed everything for her. I made a mistake. I do regret this. There was no other option for me,” he told detectives, according to court documents.

Akbari’s attorney, David Moen, said in a statement that his client is “innocent until proven guilty.” He said he entered a not guilty plea on Akbari’s behalf “based upon [Akbari’s] mental condition,” which Moen described as “severely impaired.”

Moen added that Akbari served in the Afghan Army for many years and sustained numerous injuries, and said Akbari and his family moved to Jefferson County about four years ago. He asked for prayers for Akbari’s family, “especially the children who lost their mother.”

Akbari is scheduled for a bond review on Jan. 21 and a preliminary hearing on Feb. 19, according to public court records.