"What happens if spouse disappears in Virginia.”
A US Indian man who allegedly searched the internet for how soon a person can remarry after their spouse dies has been charged with his wife’s murder.
Naresh Bhatt, a resident of Manassas Park, Virginia, has been charged with first-degree murder and physically defiling a dead body.
The charges are in relation to the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Prosecutors alleged that she was murdered by her husband, despite her body not being found.
Mrs Bhatt, who is originally from Nepal, was first reported missing on August 5, 2024, a few days after she did not show up for work.
This led to a wellness check by local police.
On August 22, Bhatt was charged with concealing a dead body after authorities found evidence in the couple’s home of a body being dragged out.
Mrs Bhatt was presumed dead after she was not seen or heard from since July 29.
During the welfare check, Bhatt reportedly told authorities that he and his wife were in the process of separating.
Prosecutors said Bhatt allegedly used his work laptop to search, “How long does it take to get married after spouse die” and “What happen to debt died spouse”.
He also allegedly googled: “What happens if spouse disappears in Virginia.”
Prosecutors have also accused Bhatt of going to Walmart in Chantilly on July 30 to buy three knives, with two still missing.
The next day, CCTV footage at another Walmart showed him buying cleaning supplies.
According to prosecutors, Bhatt disposed of a bloodstained bath mat in a donation bin outside a Loudoun County gas station and was seen wearing gloves as he discarded bags into a trash compactor in the early morning hours after his wife’s disappearance.
Despite the charges, Bhatt’s legal representatives argued that his wife is still alive.
Authorities said they have looked extensively for Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said:
“Searches – we’ve done over 10. We’ve done grid searches – searches with K9s.”
“In terms of search warrants and subpoenas, I think we’re pushing probably 30 that we have submitted and received information on.”
Her mother Gita Kafle said: “My heart is hurt.
“She was a person who was very hardworking, very beautiful [and] very honest.
“She aspired to be somebody great and she worked really hard and she could be.
“I don’t know what to say because I can never forget her but whenever I think about it I have my heartache.”
Naresh Bhatt and Mamta Kafle Bhatt have a one-year-old daughter who is currently being cared for by her family.
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