Naresh Bhatt Charged With Murder In Missing Wife Case: Reports

MANASSAS PARK, VA — Naresh Bhatt, who already faced a charge of concealing a dead body in the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, has now been charged with murder. Authorities have not found the missing Manassas Park mother, but her husband was arrested on Aug. 22 after authorities said they presumed she is dead.

Inside NoVa reported that a Prince William County grand jury returned indictments Monday against Bhatt, 37, for murder and physically defiling a dead body. Neither Mamta Kafle Bhatt's body nor remains have not been located, according to authorities.

A court hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. Naresh Bhatt was scheduled to go to trial next week on the charge of concealing a dead body, Inside NoVa said.

Kafle Bhatt, 28, a registered nurse, was last seen at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27. Her friend, Nadia Navarro, heard from her on July 28. Police did a welfare check on Aug. 2, but Bhatt declined to report his wife as missing at that time.

Bhatt reported his wife missing on Aug. 5 and claimed to have last seen her on July 31.

Around the time of Mamta Kafle Bhatt's disappearance, Naresh Bhatt was seen discarding trash bags in various dumpsters, NBC Washington reported. At a court hearing in September, prosecutors told a judge police found a bloody bathmat in a bag of items donated to charity.

Advocates for the missing mom, 28, were not happy with the December trial date, which gives less time for prosecutors to prepare their case against Naresh Bhatt, according to WTOP. The defense for Naresh Bhatt sought a quicker trial.

Manassas Park and Prince William County Police have conducted at least two searches at the Bhatts' Heather Court home in Manassas Park. Police have been searching various locations for the missing woman's body.

Police are seeking information from those who had contact with Naresh Bhatt between July 28 and Aug. 5. Information may be provided to Manassas Park Police at 703-361-1136.

At a hearing in September, Naresh Bhatt's defense attorney claimed Mamta was still alive and cited video footage. A judge ordered prosecutors to give the defense video showing Mamta getting into an unknown vehicle after work at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27, WTOP reported.

According to an InsideNoVA report, prosecutors said blood was found in the couple's bedroom and it appeared that someone may have been dragged across the floor. Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Bhatt purchased three knives on July 30, two of which were not found when the home was searched.

He was also seen on camera buying cleaning supplies at a Loudoun County Walmart on July 31, the report said.

Additionally, authorities found a packed suitcase in the home and Bhatt reportedly sold his Tesla and attempted to sell his house in recent weeks, InsideNoVA reported.

Holly Wirth, who had formerly worked with Mamta, told WTOP that prosecutors have said that Mamta had experienced domestic violence.