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
Light the Line foundation hosts holiday fundraiser to support Chicago Police Department in honor of fallen CPD Officer Ella French

“Fundraiser for Chicago Police Department in Honor of Officer Ella French Hosted by Light the Line Foundation”

A special evening took place on Saturday at Cine City Studios on…
Jamie Foxx advocates on Capitol Hill for increased funding for Down syndrome research in honor of his late sister DeOndra Dixon

Jamie Foxx pushes for more funding for Down syndrome research on Capitol Hill to honor his sister DeOndra Dixon

WASHINGTON — Jamie Foxx went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to advocate…
From Lady Gaga's 24 hour assistant to Shirley MacLaine's personal cocktail maker and Snoop Dogg's full time blunt roller, a look at the ridiculous jobs A-listers have hired people for

Exploring the strange job roles celebrities have hired people for, like Lady Gaga’s assistant for 24 hours, Shirley MacLaine’s personal cocktail maker, and Snoop Dogg’s full-time blunt roller.

Many celebrities have hired people to fulfill their demands, be at their…
Joe Scarborough Is Having a Mental Breakdown, Lashes Out at Audience Over Trump Meeting

Joe Scarborough Freaks Out on Audience During Trump Meeting

Joe Scarborough appears to be experiencing a mental breakdown, as he is…
‘Reacher’ Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Prime Video

Season 3 of the show “Reacher” will premiere on Prime Video soon.

Reacher’s back and ready to face his next opponent. A glimpse into…
America's worst mayor Tiffany Henyard breaks her silence after epic meltdown to issue fierce warning

Tiffany Henyard, America’s worst mayor, speaks out following public meltdown with strong message

America’s worst mayor Tiffany Henyard has broken her silence after suffering an…
The 'perverse' reason we've given up on California and are now fleeing to the other side of the world

The unusual reason we have abandoned California and are now escaping to a different part of the world

A writer disclosed that he and his spouse are leaving California for…
South Korean president declares emergency martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activities

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea Escapes Impeachment Following Brief Martial Law Situation

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol managed to…
Top lawyer tears into Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for trying to 'strong-arm' Daniel Penny jury with bombshell court move

Prominent attorney criticizes Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s attempt to influence Daniel Penny jury with surprising legal tactic

A prominent attorney has criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for his…
Christmas tree ship Chicago: US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw delivers 1.2K Christmas trees to Navy Pier from Cheboygan, Michigan

US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw Brings 1.2K Christmas Trees to Navy Pier from Cheboygan, Michigan for Christmas Tree Ship Chicago

The spirit of Christmas was brought to Navy Pier by the United…
Assassin's great escape mapped minute by minute: how Brian Thompson's killer snuck out of one of world's most surveilled cities

Step-by-step account of an assassin’s extraordinary getaway: the meticulous plan of Brian Thompson’s murderer to leave from a highly monitored city.

The brazen assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson stunned New York and the…
‘Severance’ Season 2 Trailer Teases Thrilling Mysteries, Terrifying Consequences, And Intriguing New Characters

Get a Peek at Season 2 of “Severance” with a Trailer Full of Excitement, Suspense, and Fresh Faces

After three long years of waiting, the highly anticipated moment for fans…