Mamta Bhatt update: Naresh Bhatt of Virginia charged with murder 4 months after wife disappeared in Manassas Park, Va.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. — A Virginia man has been charged with murder more than four months after his wife disappeared and a substantial amount of blood was found in their suburban Washington home, authorities announced Monday.

Naresh Bhatt, 37, was indicted by a Prince William County grand jury and faces a charge of murder as well as a count of defiling a dead body, according to online court documents.

The body of Mamta Bhatt, 28, has not been found. But investigators linked her DNA to the blood found in the couple’s home, Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said Monday evening at a news conference.

“From the beginning, we believed that she was murdered,” Lugo told reporters.

Investigators conducted their first search warrant when Naresh Bhatt was home with the couple’s baby and discovered blood in the bedroom as well as the bathroom, Lugo said.

He added that evidence shows that Bhatt cut up his wife’s body, which prompted the defiling charge.

“I feel we have a strong case for not having the body,” Lugo said.

Chief Public Defender Tracey Lenox did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment on the new charges against Bhatt, who is already in jail awaiting trial on separate charges in the case.

The investigation has drawn international attention to the small northern Virginia community, where homicide cases are rare. The disappearance of Mamta Bhatt, a pediatric nurse, spurred community members and her family in Nepal to band together to try to figure out what happened.

They posted on social media, hosted community events and held a rally. Within days, community members began to apply public pressure on her husband.

Three weeks after her disappearance in late July, Naresh Bhatt was charged with a felony count of concealing a dead body and placed in jail, where he remains. A prosecutor had said in court over the summer that the amount of blood found in the home indicated injuries that were not survivable.

Flowers, candles and photos are placed near Mamta Kafle Bhatt's mailbox in Manassas Park, Va., Sept. 4, 2024.

Flowers, candles and photos are placed near Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s mailbox in Manassas Park, Va., Sept. 4, 2024.

AP Photo/Olivia Diaz, File

The investigation continued in Mamta Bhatt’s death. But in September, Lenox, the public defender, argued that Naresh Bhatt was still entitled to a speedy trial on the count of concealing a dead body. The trial on that charge was scheduled for next week.

Bodiless murder cases are not unheard of, according to law enforcement experts. And while they can still be difficult to prosecute, they’ve become easier in recent years because of new types of evidence, such as DNA, cellphone location information and surveillance cameras.

Tad DiBiase is a former federal prosecutor and author of the 2014 book, “No-Body Homicide Cases: A Practical Guide to Investigating, Prosecuting and Winning Cases When the Victim is Missing.”

He keeps a tally of bodiless murder trials on his website. As of September 2, DiBiase noted that there was an 87% conviction rate after 604 trials across the U.S.

Copyright © 2024 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Dexter Reed Chicago: Questions surround city's settlement with mom of man killed in Garfield Park police shooting

Uncovering the details of the settlement between Dexter Reed’s mother and the city of Chicago after Garfield Park police shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dexter Reed was struck 13 times after four Chicago…
The new Kate Middleton: Body language expert reveals the two signs that show how the Princess of Wales has changed after year from hell - and why she's now echoing Princess Diana

“Body Language Expert Identifies Two Signs of Transformation in Kate Middleton Since Facing Challenges, Drawing Parallel with Princess Diana”

Kate Middleton was far more ‘animated’ and ‘less guarded’ as she attended her…
UPDATED: Shooter of United Healthcare CEO Used Fake ID to 'Become a Ghost' Before Attack; Backpack Found

UPDATED: Assailant of United Healthcare CEO Goes Under the Radar with Fake ID, leaving Backpack Behind

“He attempted to disappear as a ghost, essentially, and the strategy he…
Bizarre detail in photo of Trump greeting French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Strange element in picture of Trump welcoming French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Donald Trump awkwardly shook hands with the leader of France during a visit to…
‘Before’ Episode 8 Recap: Black Homes and Revelations

Recap of Episode 8 of ‘Before’: Unveiling Black Homes and Surprising Revelations

Well, I’ve got to hand it to Before, and possibly kick myself…
Trump makes surprise admission about Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth

Trump unexpectedly confesses about his choice for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth

Donald Trump is backing his decision to pick Pete Hegseth as his Defense…
A Sad Tim Walz is ‘Surprised’ He and Kamala Lost, Blames America for Rejecting Their ‘Positive Message’

Tim Walz expresses disappointment and shock over his and Kamala’s loss, attributing it to America rejecting their optimistic message.

Suffice it to say there is no joy in Walzville. Mighty Kamala,…
‘Silo’ Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Take the Physical Challenge

Recap of Season 2, Episode 4 of ‘Silo’: Get Ready for a Physical Challenge

Juliette Nichols is an engineer whose work is crucial for the show.…
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's latest budget proposal includes property tax hike, eliminates guaranteed basic income program

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes Property Tax Increase and Cuts Guaranteed Basic Income Program”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team in Chicago is sharing…
White House reveals who REALLY pushed Biden to pardon son Hunter

White House discloses the individual who strongly advocated for Biden to grant a pardon to his son, Hunter

The White House has revealed Representative Jim Clyburn was the key figure who…
America's top internet sleuths reveal why they're REFUSING to help cops find UnitedHealthcare boss' assassin

“Internet Detectives in America Refuse to Aid Police in Finding the Assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO”

America’s top internet sleuths have refused to help law enforcement officials track…
Oak Park shooting: Candlelight vigil honors fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins; Chicago man Jerell Thomas accused of murder

Honoring Fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins at Candlelight Vigil in Oak Park: Jerell Thomas from Chicago Charged with Murder

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A community came together Friday evening to…