Mamta Bhatt’s husband is accused of hiding her body

The husband of a 28-year-old Virginia woman who has been missing for more than three weeks was arrested Thursday at the couple’s home and charged with hiding her body.

Naresh Bhatt was charged with a ban on concealing a body in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who was reported missing on August 5. Manassas Park officials made the announcement.

The missing woman was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, where she worked as a nurse, and last spoke to a friend the following day. the police said. Her husband claimed he last saw her on July 31.

Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo confirmed Thursday ABC affiliate WJLA that Mamta Bhatt is now presumed dead.

Prosecutors who spoke at her husband’s arraignment on Friday alleged that Naresh Bhatt was seen at Walmart on July 30 buying a pack of three knives and returned the next day to buy cleaning supplies, WJLA reported.

Police said officers conducted a welfare check at the couple’s home on August 2 and spoke with Bhatt, but he did not want to report his wife missing at the time. The couple shares a one-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors said that during their first visit, he told police that his wife had gone to visit relatives in New York or Texas and that she destroyed her phone before leaving, according to WJLA. But investigators later learned that Mamta Bhatt had no family in those states, the newspaper said.

Naresh Bhatt eventually reported his wife missing on August 5 and cooperated with the investigation at that time, police said in an August 15 news release.

In an interview with WUSA9 last week he said he last saw his wife at dinner on July 31 and described her as “a special person” who was “caring and loving.”

He told the outlet that she had gone missing three times before, but had never been gone for so long.

At a vigil for his wife on August 14, Naresh Bhatt told the crowd that he was “the one suffering” and begged his wife to come back.

“Hey, just come back. I’m me and my baby, we wait like every second, every minute we wait. If you listen, we’ll be here waiting for you. We need you, he said.

Prosecutors said at Friday’s arraignment that Bhatt sold his Tesla on Aug. 19 and tried to sell his house, according to WJLA.

Manassas Park officials said Thursday that detectives who searched the couple’s home on Aug. 21 obtained additional evidence that led to his arrest. Investigators saw a packed suitcase at the home and said Naresh Bhatt’s passport “was available upon entry,” WJLA reported.

WJLA and NBC affiliate WRC-TV also reported that detectives found pools of blood in the master bedroom leading to the bathroom, citing court documents. Detectives said in the documents that they believed a body had been dragged through the house.

Authorities said Naresh Bhatt may face additional charges as the investigation continues. The couple’s daughter has been placed in the care of a social services approved caregiver.

According to WJLA, Bhatt will appear in court for a hearing on October 24. His lawyer reportedly said in court that there is not enough evidence, nor a confession, to prove his guilt.

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