Indian man in US arrested for wife’s murder, allegedly searched ‘How Soon Can I Remarry’
Virginia (The Uttam Hindu): Naresh Bhatt, a resident of Manassas Park, Virginia, has been charged with first-degree murder and defiling a body in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Despite her body still being missing, authorities filed the charges on December 2 in Prince William County Circuit Court, intensifying the investigation into her mysterious disappearance.
Court records reveal that Bhatt allegedly searched online for “how long does it take to get married after spouse dies.” He is also facing charges of concealing a body. A grand jury in Virginia indicted him on these charges, and he is set to appear in court to face them. Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old registered nurse and mother, was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, where she worked. She was presumed dead after failing to show up for work, prompting local police to conduct a wellness check. During questioning, Naresh claimed that he and his wife were in the process of separating.
Police Chief Mario Lugo later revealed that DNA evidence confirmed the presence of blood in the couple’s home, which matched Mamta’s. This indicated that she was likely killed and dismembered, strengthening the case against Naresh, despite the lack of a body. Further investigation showed that Naresh had used his office laptop to search for information about remarriage after the death of a spouse. He is also accused of purchasing three knives, two of which are unaccounted for, and buying cleaning supplies, as captured in surveillance footage.
Initially, Naresh gave vague explanations regarding his wife’s whereabouts and did not report her missing. After authorities searched their home on August 22, he was arrested and denied bail in September. Surveillance footage later showed Bhatt disposing of trash bags and compacting waste during the night, shortly after Mamta’s disappearance. Bhatt, a former Fairfax County police recruit and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, now faces serious legal repercussions as the investigation continues. Authorities are still searching for Mamta's body while building a strong case against her husband.
