Husband threw wife's body off bridge into Jordan Lake, deputies say

PITTSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- The husband of the woman found in Jordan Lake has been charged with first-degree murder.

Chatham County Sheriff's Office arrested Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick in the death of 34-year-old Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat. Her body was found in Jordan Lake in August.

"I don't know exactly if I'm happy that Omar is in jail or sad because of my sister's murder, Hadeel. Nothing can get her back," Firas Hikmat, Hadeel's brother, said.

Drabick was arrested on Tuesday morning and charged with murder and concealment of an unnatural death.

Court documents reveal that investigators believe Drabick killed Hikmat and then tossed her body off a bridge into Jordan Lake.

On August 29, a boater at Jordan Lake called the Sheriff's Office after finding a body near a boat ramp on Farrington Point Road. That body was later identified as Hikmat and investigators revealed her death was neither accidental nor self-inflicted.

Firas Hikmat lives in Istanbul, Turkey. He told ABC11 he had been concerned for his sister's safety before she vanished. Then, his heart sank when he learned she had been killed. Now, he is desperate for answers.

"We are burning," he said. "We lost our sister; we want justice."

A day after Firas spoke to ABC11, law enforcement raided two properties in Wake County known to be frequented by Drabick. They collected evidence but did not make any arrests at the time.

Sheriff Mike Robertson released a statement on the case Tuesday.

"Our thoughts and efforts are with Ms. Hikmat's family, and the other families who contacted us about their missing loved ones. 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," he said.

Drabick's next court date is scheduled for Sept. 25.