Husband of Apex woman found dead at Jordan Lake charged with murder
The husband of a woman who was found dead in Jordan Lake has been charged in connection with her death.
Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with first-degree murder and concealment of an unnatural death after 34-year-old Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat was found dead in August at Jordan Lake.
Drabick is being held without bond in the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 30.
Hikmat and Drabick were 34 and lived in Apex. Deputies had previously suspected foul play in Hikmat's death and searched the couple's home in Apex and a home in Raleigh.
WRAL spoke to Hikmat's brother, Firas Hikmat, who lives in Turkey.
He told us that she had just moved to Iraq the previous year, and that justice awaited Drabick.
"It pains me to see the nearest one and family, the most dangerous," Firas said. "Rest in peace my sis. God, Allah, and law know you are a victim. We love you Hadeel."
On Aug. 29, a boater at Jordan Lake contacted the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office after discovering a body near Farrington Point Boat Ramp on Farrington Point Road. The victim was identified as Hikmat through fingerprint analysis. Her death was determined to be neither accidental nor self-inflicted.
“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.
"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.”
“This is some justice for my sister Hadeel," said Firas Hikmat, Hadeel's brother. "I’m crying right now for this man who has been arrested and I’m crying for Hadeel's homicide.”
