Naresh Bhatt charged with murder in missing wife case: reports

MANASSAS PARK, VA – Naresh Bhatt, already charged with hiding a body in the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, has now been charged with murder. Authorities have not found the missing Manassas Park mother, but her husband was arrested Aug. 22 after authorities said they believed she was dead.

Inside NoVa reported that a Prince William County grand jury on Monday indicted Bhatt, 37, on charges of murder and physical defilement of a corpse. According to authorities, neither Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s body nor remains have been found.

A court hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. Naresh Bhatt should go on trial next week on charges of hiding a body, Inside NoVa said.

Kafle Bhatt, 28, a registered nurse, was last seen July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center. Her friend Nadia Navarro heard from her on July 28th. Police conducted a welfare check on August 2, but Bhatt declined to report his wife missing at that time.

Bhatt reported his wife missing on August 5 and claimed he last saw her on July 31.

Around the time of Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance, Naresh Bhatt was seen disposing of garbage bags in various dumpsters, NBC Washington reported. At a court hearing in September, prosecutors told a judge that police found a bloody bath mat in a bag of items donated to charity.

According to WTOP, lawyers for the missing mother, 28, were unhappy with the December trial date, which gives prosecutors less time to prepare their case against Naresh Bhatt. Naresh Bhatt’s defense sought a faster trial.

Manassas Park and Prince William County police conducted at least two searches at the Bhatts Heather Court home in Manassas Park. The police have searched for the body of the missing woman in various places.

Police are appealing for information from those who had contact with Naresh Bhatt between July 28 and August 5. Information can be provided to Manassas Park Police at 703-361-1136.

At a hearing in September, Naresh Bhatt’s defense attorney claimed that Mamta was still alive, citing video footage. A judge ordered prosecutors to produce defense video showing Mamta getting into an unknown vehicle after work at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27, WTOP reported.

According to an InsideNoVA report, prosecutors said blood was found in the couple’s bedroom and it appeared someone had been dragged across the floor. Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Bhatt purchased three knives on July 30, two of which were not found during a search of the home.

He was also seen on camera purchasing cleaning supplies at a Walmart in Loudoun County on July 31, according to the report.

Additionally, authorities found a packed suitcase in the home and Bhatt is said to have sold his Tesla and attempted to sell his home in recent weeks, InsideNoVA reported.

Holly Wirth, who previously worked with Mamta, told WTOP that prosecutors alleged Mamta experienced domestic violence.