Man who allegedly googled “how long does it take to get married after spouse dies” is charged with murdering his wife

A Manassas Park, Virginia, man who allegedly searched the Internet to find out how quickly a person can remarry after the death of their spouse has been charged with murdering his wife.

According to online records, Naresh Bhatt was charged with two felonies on Monday, Dec. 2, in the Prince William County Circuit Criminal Division. His charges include first-degree murder and physical defilement of a corpse in connection with the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, although her body has not been found.

The 28-year-old mother from Nepal was first reported missing on Aug. 5, days after she failed to show up for work, prompting a wellness check by local police, Manassas Park police previously said.

On August 22, Naresh was charged with concealing a body after Virginia authorities found evidence at the couple’s home that a body had been dragged out.

Mamta Kafle was presumed dead because she had not been seen or heard from since July 29, WUSA9 reported, citing Manassas Park police.

According to the outlet, Naresh told authorities during the welfare check that he and his wife were in the process of separating.

In April, prosecutors said Naresh allegedly used his work laptop to search for “How long does it take to get married after spouse dies” and “What happens to dead spouse’s debts,” the news station reported The Washington Post reported.

He also apparently googled, “What happens if spouse disappears in Virginia?”

In addition, prosecutors accused Naresh of going to a Walmart in Chantilly on July 30 to buy three knives, two of which were still missing. The next day, surveillance footage at another Walmart showed him purchasing cleaning supplies, prosecutors said.

Per Post, Prosecutors also alleged that Naresh disposed of a blood-stained bath mat in a donation bin outside a Loudoun County gas station and was seen wearing gloves as he threw bags into a trash compactor in the early morning hours after Mamta Kafle’s disappearance.

Naresh’s lawyer argued in court that the 28-year-old was still alive post reported.

PEOPLE reached out to Naresh’s lawyer for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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Authorities said they conducted an intensive search for Mamta Kafle.

“Searches – we’ve done over 10. We did grid searches – searches with K9s,” said Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo, according to WUSA9. “As far as search warrants and subpoenas go, I think we’re probably pushing for 30 that we’ve submitted and received information on.”

“My heart is hurt,” her mother, Gita Kafle, told the news station. “She was a very hard-working, very beautiful (and) very honest person. She aspired to be someone great and she worked really hard and she was able to do that. I don’t know what to say because I can never forget her, except whenever. “When I think about it, I feel sorrow.”

Mamta Kafle and Naresh have a one-year-old daughter who is looked after by her family.