PITTSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina man Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick, 34, is facing serious allegations in connection to the murder of his wife, Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat.
The charges brought against him include first-degree murder and concealment of unnatural death, linked to the disturbing incident where Hadeel's body was allegedly disposed of in a lake.
How did Hadeel Hikmat die?
According to ABC, investigators suspect that Drabick killed Hikmat, and subsequently disposed of her body by throwing it off a bridge into Jordan Lake.
On August 29, a boater at Jordan Lake found Hikmat's body near a boat ramp. Subsequent fingerprint analysis confirmed the victim's identity, and investigators ruled out accidental or self-inflicted causes of death.
On September 8, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Apex and Raleigh police departments, executed search warrants at two locations in Wake County known to be frequented by Hikmat, as they continue to gather evidence and insights into this tragic case.
Hadeel Hikmat immigrated from Iraq to the US in 2022
Hikmat made the journey from Iraq to the United States just last year, as revealed by her brother Firas Hikmat in an interview with NBC.
Firas mentioned that he last spoke with his sister on August 28. Learning about her tragic death was heartbreaking for Firas, who lives in Istanbul, Turkey.
Now, he is desperately seeking answers to make sense of this devastating loss. "Hadeel has a big family in Iraq, so many people love her, so anything like this for justice we are welcoming," he said.
"We are burning," he added. "We lost our sister; we want justice."
"Our thoughts and efforts are with Ms Hikmat's family, and the other families who contacted us about their missing loved ones," said Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson.
"These kinds of incidents are a reminder of the tragedy of domestic violence," he continued.
"It's a scourge that affects far too many lives and causes immeasurable pain and suffering. We urge anyone who may be in an abusive relationship to reach out for help and support," he added.
Where is Omar Drabick held?
Following his arrest on Tuesday morning, September 20, Drabick is currently held in the Chatham County Sheriff's Office Detention Center without bond. His scheduled court appearance is set for September 25.
