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
‘Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe Breaks Down Season 7 Episode 11: “Do Any of You Ever Really Believe That We Would Kill Off Jamie Fraser?”

“Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe Analyzes Season 7 Episode 11: Does Anyone Truly Believe We Would Kill Off Jamie Fraser?”

Season 7 Episode 11 of Outlander titled “A Hundredweight of Stones” focuses…
New Shows & Movies To Watch This Weekend: ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ on Apple TV+ and More

Top Picks for Weekend Viewing: ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ on Apple TV+ and Other New Releases

This weekend brings some well-known faces to streaming platforms, with Scarlett Johansson…
The Pope's new wheels! His Holiness is gifted a 'G-Wagon popemobile' made especially for him - and it's all-electric

New Electric Popemobile Gifted to His Holiness Pope Francis: A Special ‘G-Wagon’ Just for Him

Pope Francis has a new set of wheels to roll around the…
‘Southern Charm’ Star Leva Bonaparte Teases Major Change With Shep Rose

Leva Bonaparte from ‘Southern Charm’ hints at a significant shift involving Shep Rose

Shep Rose is turning a new leaf, according to his Southern Charm…
UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer came to NYC on bus from Atlanta | Reporter Replay

Source reports: Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO traveled to NYC from Atlanta by bus

A bus from Atlanta brought the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO to NYC…
DNC Finance Committee Member Blasts Harris Campaign Spending, 'Lining the Pockets of Well-Connected Dems'

Al Sharpton and MSNBC warned by National Black Church Organization about the ongoing Kamala donation scandal.

Following the election, there was a close examination of the Kamala Harris…
‘Southern Charm’ Star Austen Kroll Says He And Madison LeCroy Have Fun “Roasting” Themselves This Season: “We Make Each Other Laugh A Lot”

Austen Kroll from ‘Southern Charm’ said he and Madison LeCroy are enjoying cracking jokes at each other this season, making each other laugh a lot.

If you would have asked us four years ago whether Austen Kroll…
Chicago business: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner warns industry about new scam with customers ripping off businesses

Beware: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner shares warning about new scam affecting businesses in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A local restaurant owner is alerting others in the…
SOLD! Trump Taps Auctioneer and Former MO Congressman Billy Long to Lead Key Agency

Trump Chooses Auctioneer and Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long to Head Important Agency

Keeping track of the many nomination announcements from the Trump-Vance transition team…
The Brandywine Museum of Art has been home to a holiday railroad display since 1972

The Brandywine Museum of Art has showcased a festive model train exhibit since 1972.

Chadds Ford, PA — Since 1972, The Brandywine Railroad model scale railroad…
University of Illinois Chicago Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory accused of providing flawed results in marijuana DUI cases

University of Illinois Chicago lab accused of giving incorrect results in marijuana DUI cases.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Serious test questions about a Chicago lab could change…
‘Skeleton Crew’ Creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford Praise Jude Law’s Ability To Wrangle His Child Co-Stars: “Like Having A Co-Director With Us”

Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the Minds Behind ‘Skeleton Crew,’ Applaud Jude Law’s Skill in Managing Young Co-Stars: “He’s Like Another Director on Set”

Skeleton Crew co-creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford cannot believe they got…