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
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…
Target's Christmas ad has viewers in meltdown over 'hot Santa'

Target’s holiday commercial sparks controversy with ‘attractive Santa’ causing uproar among viewers

Target is heating up the holiday season with their newest team member…
ABC7 EXCLUSIVE: Tiffany Henyard speaks on political turmoil in south suburbs; Dolton mayor blocked from Thornton Township ballot

Tiffany Henyard talks about political issues in south suburbs; Dolton mayor prevented from appearing on Thornton Township ballot – ABC7 Exclusive

THORNTON TOWNSHIP, Ill. (WLS) — Political dysfunction in the south suburbs continues…
Hannah Kobayashi's family responds to report of possible secret marriage

Hannah Kobayashi’s family reacts to rumors about a potential secret wedding

LOS ANGELES — The family of Hannah Kobayashi, a woman from Hawaii…
What Day Does ‘Outlander’ Come Out? Where and When To Watch ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Episode 11

When will Season 7 Episode 11 of ‘Outlander’ be released and how can I watch it?

The latest episode of Outlander Season 7, titled “Brotherly Love,” left viewers…
‘Thursday Night Football’ Tonight: Start Time, Where To Watch The Packers-Lions ‘TNF’ Game Live Online For Free

“Watch Packers vs Lions ‘TNF’ Game Live Online for Free: Start Time and How to Watch Thursday Night Football”

Live from Ford Field in Detroit, the Lions host the Green Bay…
Rev. Jesse Jackson requests Biden to pardon son Jesse Jackson Jr. and fmr. Alderwoman Sandra Stevens Jackson

Jesse Jackson Urges Biden to Pardon His Son and Former Alderwoman

CHICAGO (WLS) — Reverend Jesse Jackson wrote to President Biden requesting a…
‘Southern Charm’ Star Rodrigo Reyes Says It Was A “Fool’s Mistake” For JT Thomas To Call Patricia Altschul A “B*tch”

“Rodrigo Reyes from ‘Southern Charm’ Regrets JT Thomas’ Insult Towards Patricia Altschul”

Rodrigo Reyes is getting ready for the upcoming drama in the upcoming…
Assassin's three chilling words on bullets left behind after shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO in brazen Manhattan attack

The frightening message left by the assassin after shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO in bold Manhattan assault.

Detectives investigating the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson reportedly found shell…
Meghan McCain Claims ‘The View’ Is Full Of “Fighting” And “Drama” As She Spills “Behind-The-Scenes Gossip” About The Show

Meghan McCain Reveals Behind-The-Scenes Drama and Tension on ‘The View’

Meghan McCain has once again expressed her opinions about her former workplace…
‘Scrubs’ Reboot: Everything We Know, From Who Will Star To Which Original Creator Is Returning

“All You Need to Know About the ‘Scrubs’ Reboot: Cast, Returning Creator, and More”

Good news, Scrubs fans: The medical sitcom is finally getting a reboot…
Rihanna and Martha Stewart link up at NYC event and more star snaps

Rihanna and Martha Stewart spotted together at NYC event: Check out more photos of celebrities

Rihanna and Martha Stewart spotted together at an event in New York…