Elderly suspect confesses to wife's murder, claiming he felt overwhelmed and couldn't endure any longer.

In a shocking turn of events, James E. Pate, a 93-year-old man, has been arrested for the stabbing death of his wife, Cheryl Pate. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the 1800 block of South 14th Street, Pekin, Illinois.

According to initial reports, officers were called to the scene due to a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, they found James Pate with a significant amount of blood on him. Emergency responders found the female victim at the scene and transported her to a hospital. However, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Cheryl Pate later died at the hospital.

The Peoria County Coroner identified the victim as Cheryl Pate on Wednesday. An autopsy revealed she suffered multiple sharp blunt force injuries that were not survivable.

James Pate allegedly admitted to officers that he had cut his wife's throat. The affidavit of probable cause states that he pushed Cheryl Pate away and hit her before pulling a knife out of the center console. Cheryl Pate reportedly lunged towards James Pate, as if to scratch his face.

The argument between James and Cheryl Pate occurred in a vehicle during their journey. It is unclear what led to the altercation. The couple was reportedly planning on filing for divorce.

The Tazewell County State's Attorney's Office filed a petition to deny pretrial release for James Pate. He was booked into the Tazewell County Jail, but as of now, there is no information available about any lawyer in Illinois charging him for the murder of his wife or the current penalties threatened against him.

Illinois State Police assisted in processing the crime scene at the request from Pekin law enforcement. The initial report did not identify the stabbing victim, but the victim's identity was later confirmed as 80-year-old Cheryl Pate.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and unpredictability of human emotions, even in the twilight years of life. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to be released as the case progresses.