Husband accused of murdering wife found dead in Virginia
Naresh Bhatt arrested for allegedly murdering and concealing wife's body
A week after Naresh Bhatt expressed his distress over his missing wife in Virginia, he appeared in court on Friday, accused of her murder and concealing her body in late July.
Although Naresh Bhatt has not been formally charged with the murder of 28-year-old Mamta Kafle Bhatt, court documents show he faces a felony charge of concealing a body. Authorities arrested him on Thursday after executing a search warrant at their home.
Last week, Bhatt told WUSA he was worried about his wife’s disappearance, noting it wasn’t the first time she had gone missing. “I’m the one suffering,” he said. “She is my baby’s mom. She is my wife. I’m the one suffering, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”
MISSING PERSON IN VIRGINIA: July 27, 2024 Mamta Kafle Bhatt is a 28-year-old woman from Virginia who has been at the center of a significant public and legal interest due to her disappearance. Here's what we know based on the information available up to August 23, 2024:… pic.twitter.com/cWN4ZV5mVE
— Liquid News Feed (@liquidnewsfeed) August 23, 2024
Bhatt attended his arraignment on Friday morning. The preliminary criminal complaint states that “on or about July 30, 2024,” Bhatt allegedly murdered his wife. CNN has sought comments from the prosecutor’s office about possible upgraded charges.
Bhatt, a former US Army Reserve automated logistics specialist, served from June 2017 to February 2024 without deployments, leaving with the rank of specialist, according to an Army spokesperson.
Mamta Bhatt, last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, worked there as a registered nurse. She last spoke to a friend on July 28, the same day she posted a final TikTok video with her daughter.
Mamta’s former roommate, Nadia Navarro, stated, “She called me a couple of times on July 28, but I was asleep. Later, I got a call from someone I met at Mamta’s baby shower asking if I knew where she was.”
Navarro added, “Mamta is responsible and calm. I doubt she would just run away.”
The complaint alleges Bhatt murdered his wife on July 30 at their home in Manassas Park. Investigators observed Bhatt buying knives at Walmart on July 30 and cleaning supplies the next day.
Bhatt claimed he last saw his wife on July 31. Police visited their home on August 2 after her co-workers requested a wellness check due to her absence from work on August 1 and 2.
Police said Bhatt provided additional information but didn’t want to report her missing at that time. Three days after the welfare check, Bhatt reported his wife missing, saying he last saw her at the dinner table on July 31.
Detectives conducted an exhaustive investigation from August 5-8, noting a lack of recent contact between Mamta and her family, friends, employer, and social media. They elevated her status to involuntary/critical missing person.
In an August 14 interview, Bhatt said he last saw his wife on July 31. “We ate dinner together. She cooked. We didn’t have any specific conversation or argument.”
Bhatt described his wife as “caring and loving,” noting she had gone missing three times before but never for this long. He urged her to return, saying, “We are waiting for you.”
The Manassas Park Police Department issued a news release on August 2 seeking public assistance in locating Mamta. They followed standard procedures, entering her as missing with the Virginia State Police.
On August 21, police searched the couple’s home, though no details about the evidence leading to Bhatt’s arrest were provided at the time. Investigators executed 10 search warrants and conducted hundreds of interviews.
When asked if there was a person of interest, Police Chief Mario Lugo confirmed Bhatt was a point of interest. Initially, police said Bhatt and others were cooperative, but later noted he was no longer cooperating.
On August 22, Bhatt was arrested outside their home. An infant was also removed from the home, and the couple’s young daughter is now with a caregiver approved by social services.
Chief Lugo assured the public that the investigation remains a priority and encouraged providing any useful information.
Court documents reveal Bhatt is accused of killing his wife, with evidence suggesting the body was inside and dragged out of the residence.
During his August 23 arraignment, Bhatt remained held without bail. His defence argued there is insufficient evidence to prove his guilt, noting he has no history of violence and hasn’t confessed.
Details from the search warrant revealed inconsistent statements by Bhatt and evidence, including blood pooling and stains in the home. Investigators also found cleaning supplies Bhatt had purchased.
Authorities said Bhatt sold his Tesla on August 19, and the home appeared disheveled, with a packed suitcase and missing items.
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect date for the first police wellness check at the family’s home. It was conducted on August 2.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Erie News Now provides a detailed timeline of the investigation into Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance, highlighting key events leading to her husband Naresh Bhatt’s arrest for concealing her body.(read more)
- CNN reports on the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a Virginia mother, with a detailed timeline highlighting the events leading up to her disappearance and the ongoing investigation.(read more)
- CNN reports that Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a Nepalese woman living in Virginia, has been missing since August 12, with her husband, Pramod Bhatt, the main suspect in her disappearance.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Naresh Bhatt kill his wife?
Naresh Bhatt is accused of killing his wife but has not been formally charged with murder.
What charges does Naresh Bhatt currently face?
He faces a felony charge of prohibition against concealment of a body.
When was Mamta Bhatt last seen?
Mamta Bhatt was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center.
What evidence was found in the Bhatt home?
Investigators found blood pooling, blood splatter, and cleaning supplies in the home.
What did Naresh Bhatt say about his wife’s disappearance?
He claimed he last saw her on July 31 and expressed concern about her whereabouts.
