The husband of a 28-year-old Virginia lady who has been lacking for over three weeks was arrested on the couple’s residence on Thursday and accused of hiding her physique.
Naresh Bhatt was charged with prohibition in opposition to concealment of a physique in connection to the disappearance of his spouse, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who was reported lacking on Aug. 5, Manassas Park officers introduced.
The lacking lady was final seen at UVA Well being Prince William Medical Heart in Manassas, the place she labored as a nurse, on July 27, and final spoke to a buddy the next day, police mentioned. Her husband claimed he final noticed her on July 31.
Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo confirmed Thursday to ABC affiliate WJLA that Mamta Bhatt is now presumed useless.
Prosecutors talking at her husband’s arraignment on Friday alleged that Naresh Bhatt was seen at Walmart shopping for a pack of three knives on July 30 and returned the next day to purchase cleansing provides, WJLA reported.
Police mentioned officers carried out a welfare test on the couple’s residence on Aug. 2 and spoke with Bhatt, however he didn’t wish to report his spouse lacking on the time. The couple share a 1-year-old daughter.
Prosecutors mentioned he advised police throughout their preliminary go to that his spouse had gone to see kinfolk in New York or Texas and that she had destroyed her telephone earlier than leaving, in accordance with WJLA. However detectives later realized that Mamta Bhatt didn’t have any kinfolk in these states, the outlet mentioned.
Naresh Bhatt finally reported his spouse lacking on Aug. 5 and, at that time, was cooperating with the investigation, police mentioned in an Aug. 15 press launch.
In an interview with WUSA9 final week, he mentioned he’d final seen his spouse at dinner on July 31 and described her as “a particular individual” who was “caring and loving.”
He advised the outlet that she had gone lacking 3 times earlier than however had by no means been gone for therefore lengthy.
Chatting with the gang at a vigil for his spouse on Aug. 14, Naresh Bhatt mentioned he was “the one who’s struggling” and pleaded for his spouse to return again.
“Hey, simply come again. I’m myself and my child, we’re ready like each second, each minute, we’re ready. If you’re listening, simply we’re ready right here for you. We’d like you,” he mentioned.
Prosecutors mentioned at Friday’s arraignment that Bhatt had offered his Tesla on Aug. 19 and had tried to promote his home, in accordance with WJLA.
Manassas Park officers mentioned on Thursday that detectives who searched the couple’s residence on Aug. 21 had obtained extra proof that led to his arrest. Investigators noticed a packed suitcase on the residence and mentioned Naresh Bhatt’s “passport was obtainable upon entry,” WJLA reported.
WJLA and NBC affiliate WRC-TV additionally reported that detectives had discovered swimming pools of blood within the main bed room that led into the lavatory, citing courtroom paperwork. Detectives mentioned within the paperwork that they believed a physique had been dragged by way of the home.
Authorities mentioned Naresh Bhatt might face extra expenses because the investigation continues. The couple’s daughter has been positioned within the care of a social services-approved caregiver.
Bhatt is ready to seem in courtroom on Oct. 24 for an adjudicatory listening to, in accordance with WJLA. His protection lawyer reportedly mentioned in courtroom that there isn’t sufficient proof, nor a confession, to show his guilt.
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