MANASSAS PARK, Va. (TCN) — The husband of a 28-year-old mother who disappeared several months ago now faces a charge of murder even though her remains have not yet been found.
Prince William County court documents show that Naresh Bhatt was charged Dec. 2 with murder and physically defile dead body in connection with the disappearance and death of his wife, Mamta Kafle. He was charged in September with concealment of a dead body .
According to the Manassas Park Police Department, Kafle was last seen at University of Virginia Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27 but spoke to a friend the following the day. Her husband reportedly said he last saw her on July 31.
Two days later, police responded to Kafle’s home to perform a welfare check and spoke with her husband. Bhatt initially “did not want to report her missing” but eventually did so on Aug. 5. A statewide missing person investigation ensued, and detectives “were able to elevate her missing status to an involuntary/critical missing person” case.
On Aug. 31, police executed a search warrant on Kafle’s residence and arrested Bhatt on a felony charge of prohibition against concealment of dead body. According to Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo, Bhatt was home with the couple’s baby daughter when officials first searched the house and found evidence of blood in the bedroom and bathroom. Lugo announced in a press conference that investigators later found Kafle’s DNA in the blood evidence and believe her body had been dragged from the bedroom to the bathroom.
Court documents reviewed by WDVM-TV allege there was blood stuck in parts of the bathtub and that the home was in disarray.
Bhatt allegedly purchased three knives on July 30 and then bought cleaning supplies the following day to conceal his crimes, but authorities only found one knife.
The police chief alleges that Bhatt killed his wife sometime on or around July 29. Investigators believe Bhatt also dismembered Kafle at their home. It was only after her disappearance that police learned of previous domestic violence allegations against Bhatt.
WDVM-TV reports Bhatt initially appeared in court on Aug. 26, and prosecutors read aloud some of Bhatt’s recent online searches, which included “how long does take to marry after spouse dies” and “what happen debt after spouse dies.”
According to WUSA-TV, Bhatt sold his Tesla on Aug. 19 and was struggling with car payments and a mortgage.
Police said the couple’s daughter was placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services and is safe.
The Associated Press reports that the victim worked as a pediatric nurse.
For more about the case, watch the “True Crime News” video below.
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