A North Carolina man has been apprehended and charged in connection with the death of his wife, a recent immigrant from Iraq. Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick, 34, was arrested by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. He faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of an unnatural death.
The body of Drabick’s wife, Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat, also 34, was discovered on August 29 by a boater near a boat ramp in Jordan Lake, located in the Raleigh area. The arrest warrant alleges that Drabick disposed of his wife’s body by throwing it from a bridge into the lake.
While the cause of death has not been officially disclosed, authorities have stated it was neither accidental nor self-inflicted. Identification of the deceased was made possible through fingerprint analysis.
Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson commented on the incident, highlighting the broader issue of domestic violence. He urged those in abusive relationships to seek help and support, emphasizing the widespread impact and suffering caused by such violence.
The motive behind the alleged murder remains undisclosed. On September 8, deputies executed two search warrants: one at the Raleigh-area residence shared by Hikmat and Drabick, and another at a location frequently visited by Hikmat.
Hikmat had relocated from Iraq to the United States just last year, according to her brother, Firas Hikmat. He informed NBC affiliate WRAL that he last communicated with his sister on August 28 and contacted the police two days later when he was unable to reach her. He expressed the family’s desire for justice, noting Hikmat’s large family back in Iraq who loved her dearly.
Drabick is currently being held without bond at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. His next court appearance is slated for Monday.