Washington D.C., July 3, 2025 : An Indian-American woman, accused of murdering her young son, has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, marking a rare and chilling development involving a case of domestic violence that has gone international. The woman, identified as 43-year-old Satya N. Patel (name fictionalized for privacy), is charged with the first-degree murder of her 10-year-old son in Georgia in 2021 and has since fled the country.

According to federal authorities, Patel is believed to have strangled her son in their suburban Atlanta home following a bitter custody dispute. After committing the crime, she allegedly boarded an international flight using a false identity, launching a manhunt that has spanned multiple countries over the past four years. Investigators believe she may have received help from family or acquaintances to leave the United States and has since been living under an assumed name.

FBI officials describe her as “dangerous and unpredictable,” and warn the public not to approach her if spotted. The agency has offered a reward of up to $250,000 for any information leading directly to her arrest and conviction. She is one of only a handful of women ever placed on the FBI’s most wanted list and the first Indian-American woman to appear on it.

The case has shocked both American and Indian communities. The victim’s father, who had been seeking full custody at the time, described the incident as “a nightmare I can’t wake up from.” Authorities say Patel missed multiple court hearings and was due to face legal consequences just days before she allegedly committed the murder.

FBI special agents believe Patel may be hiding in either India or another South Asian country, potentially blending into local communities and using forged documents. “We are working with Interpol and law enforcement agencies across several countries to track her down,” said Supervisory Special Agent Laura Gomez. “We will not stop until justice is served.”

The case has reignited conversations around child custody disputes, domestic violence, and mental health in diaspora communities. Legal experts are also questioning how Patel was able to leave the U.S. so easily, raising concerns about gaps in international coordination on fugitives involved in family crimes.

The FBI has circulated her photo and description to airports, border crossings, and international crime databases. She is described as 5'6", with dark brown eyes, black hair, and a small scar above her right eyebrow. Authorities caution that she may have altered her appearance through surgery or other means.

Citizens with credible information are encouraged to contact their local FBI office or submit anonymous tips through the FBI website. “Even the smallest detail could bring this fugitive to justice,” said Gomez.