An Ithaca man is facing second-degree murder charges after allegedly killing his wife in a violent attack early Monday.

Police say Ahmed Abed, 43, used a cinder block and a knife to fatally attack Alaa Husein Jeena Abedi in their South Plain Street apartment while their four children, ages aged between 11 and 18, were at home.

According to court documents, Abed hit his wife with a fly block while she slept, then stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife after she woke up and tried to defend herself.

Police report that Abed confessed, stating, “I intended to kill my wife.” Authorities have not released a motive, and Abed is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

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