A Virginia man, Naresh Bhatt, was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, a nurse and mother. According to investigators, internet searches by Naresh, including how to remarry following the death of a spouse, became one of the main points of suspicion in the case. Although Mamta’s body has not been found, evidence has led investigators to believe she is dead and that her husband killed her.
Key Evidence Suggests Foul Play
Mamta was last seen on July 29, and police said she was reported missing when she didn’t go to work. While officers investigating her disappearance did a welfare check at the couple’s Manassas Park home, they found indication that a body had been dragged from the home. Several days later, video captured Naresh buying knives and cleaning products, which prosecutors said he used as part of his cleanup after killing her.
Further probe showed that Naresh dumped a blood-soaked bath mat into a donation receptacle and threw away several bags into a trash compactor. Thus, in accumulation, digital evidence, physical findings, and behavioral patterns form the basis of the charges against him.
Digital Footprints and Suspicious Behavior
The court documents revealed that Naresh’s internet searches have been rather unusual, like questions about a spouse’s debt upon death and what the law says if your partner goes missing. Prosecutors think that these searches on his work laptop suggest premeditation.
Moreover, Naresh was seen at a Walmart buying three knives the day after Mamta disappeared, and two of those knives are still not found. His trying to wipe down the crime scene with supplies bought at another store then brought even more focus on him as the main suspect.
Family and Community Grieve
Mamta’s disappearance left her family members shattered. Her one-year-old daughter now lives with her relatives, while the authorities are taking all efforts to find her. Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said that elaborate searches involving K9s and multiple warrants have been carried out to track down Mamta or obtain more evidence.
While there is a pile of evidence against Naresh, his defense still claims that Mamta is alive. The court case continues, with both prosecution and defense putting their house in order to present the case.
This has been a traumatic case for the community, where digital forensics and surveillance have played an important role in the investigation process. Law enforcement agencies ask that anyone with information regarding Mamta’s disappearance contact them as they continue searching for answers.
