Father-in-law of Dr Ikenna Erinne, a 36-year-old US-based Nigerian cardiologist who tragically took his own life, has alleged that the deceased held his estranged partner and their children hostage for three hours before his death.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 26, 2025, has drawn widespread attention and debate, particularly among Nigerians at home and abroad.
Dr Erinne, originally from Anambra State, had been involved in a bitter legal battle over divorce and child custody. A US court ruling required him to pay $15,000 in monthly child support, reportedly to cover the expenses of his physically challenged son, including special medical and educational care.
Francis Van-Lare, the father of Dr Erinne’s estranged partner, took to social media on Sunday to shed light on the events leading up to the cardiologist’s death. According to Mr Van-Lare, Dr Erinne held his daughter and grandchildren hostage at gunpoint for three hours before taking his own life as police arrived.
“I just thank God he did not shoot my daughter and grandchildren in his madness. Which sane person takes his own life over money he is supposed to use to support his children?” Van-Lare wrote.
Van-Lare also clarified that the child support ruling was based on the income of both parents and the special needs of the children, emphasising that his daughter is financially self-sufficient and not receiving alimony.
The tragic case has reignited discussions on the pressures faced by immigrant families, particularly African men, in navigating the complexities of the US legal and financial systems.
Nigerian-American commentator Clayton Udo alleged that Dr. Erinne’s financial burdens, including significant legal fees, contributed to his mental health struggles. Udo also claimed that the legal battles led to the revocation of Dr. Erinne’s medical licence, though Van-Lare refuted this, stating that his licences in multiple states remained active.
“He has active licenses in Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland, so one state cannot revoke all licenses at once,” Van-Lare wrote in his post.
Members of the Nigerian community in the US have expressed shock and sadness over the incident. Obim Onujiogu, a member of the community, described Dr Erinne as a compassionate healer and a devoted family man.
The cardiologist’s funeral is scheduled for Monday, February 3 in Maryland, USA.
Van-Lare stated that his family would take responsibility for raising the children left behind. “May his soul rest in peace regardless. My family will raise the children without him,” he concluded.
QEDNG recalls that Van-Lare caused a major stir on the internet in December 2023 when he released a list of 702 women he claimed to have slept with between 1970 and then.
He recanted in March 2024, saying the names were AI-generated and he was just having fun.
