The husband of a missing woman remains in custody without bail on charges of hiding a body.
A judge on Monday granted the charges and ruled that Naresh Bhatt, who lives in Virginia, poses a flight risk because his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt has been missing since late July.
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The judge also ruled that Naresh, a native of Nepal, posed a danger to the community based on information revealed by prosecutors at his arraignment on Friday.
Police believe Mamta, who has a one-year-old child with Naresh, is dead.
STRONG EVIDENCE
According to court documents released by local CBS affiliate WUSA9, police believe they have found enough evidence to determine that Naresh murdered his wife and attempted to cover up the murder at their home in Manassas Park – just 30 miles outside of Washington DC.
“There was evidence in the house that indicated the body was inside the house and was dragged out of the house,” the criminal complaint states.
Read more about Mamta Kafle Bhatt
During Friday’s hearing, prosecutors claimed officers found the house in a chaotic state, with blood splattered in the master bedroom and bathroom, including the bathtub.
Prosecutors called the evidence a “blood pool,” Mamta’s former colleague Holly Wirth, who attended the hearing, told WUSA9.
According to reports, the officers also found packed suitcases and the passports of Naresh and his daughter.
Investigators are reportedly waiting for test results to confirm where the blood came from and whether it belongs to Mamta.
So far, Naresh has only been charged with concealing a corpse – a crime imposed on people accused of transporting, concealing, hiding or altering a corpse.
His defense lawyers pointed out that Naresh did not confess and argued that there was insufficient evidence to charge him with murder.
Worrying schedule
Mamta has been missing since the end of July, but investigators are questioning the exact time of her disappearance based on her husband’s statements.
She was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, where she worked.
The next day, she apparently posted a video on TikTok and reportedly also spoke to a friend on the phone.
July 30 was reportedly the last day Mamta’s family heard from her.
Timeline of Mamta Bhatt’s disappearance
The mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt of Manassas Park, has been missing since July 31.
July 27 – Mamta was last seen at her job as a pediatric nurse at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center
July 28 – Mamta spoke to her friend
July 30 – Prosecutors claim Naresh bought three knives
July 31 – Naresh was the last person to see Mamta. Investigators claim Naresh also bought cleaning products.
2 August – Mamta’s colleagues requested a welfare check from her home. Police spoke to Naresh, who did not want to report her missing.
5 August – Naresh has officially reported Mamta missing
21 August – Police raided Mamta and Naresh’s house. Naresh is named as a suspect as police said he was not cooperating with the police
22.08. – Naresh was taken into police custody in handcuffs
23.August – Naresh appeared in court to face charges
26.08. – A judge denied Naresh bail
Naresh has told local media and law enforcement that he last saw his wife on the evening of July 31 and that they had dinner together.
However, this contradicts his earlier claims.
The police only became aware of her disappearance when her colleagues requested a welfare check.
When officers arrived at his home on August 2, Naresh refused to report his wife missing, telling officers she was visiting family or friends in Texas or New York.
It was only on August 5 that the man from Virginia reported Mamta missing.
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Prosecutors have since called the information Naresh gave to police “inconsistent” and also claimed that Mamta had no other family in the United States.
At the same time, investigators are looking for two of the three knives that Naresh is said to have bought on July 30.
The next day, investigators claim, there is evidence showing Naresh buying cleaning products.
On August 21, Naresh was seen being led out of his house in handcuffs.
Naresh claims that he is the one who is “suffering” over his wife’s disappearance.
“I’m the one who’s suffering, I’m the one who’s suffering – my baby and then myself, you know, we’re suffering the most,” he told WUSA9 in an eerie interview.
Call for justice
As investigations into Mamta’s disappearance continue, her family and community demand justice.
“Mamta had so many dreams that she will never achieve. She wanted to be a nurse. She wanted more children. She wanted so much and she will never get to it,” her best friend Nadia Navarro told local ABC affiliate WJLA.
“She is a person with a big heart who gives to others. It is appalling to me that her love was used against her.”
Navarro and several other community members gathered over the weekend for a makeshift memorial.
“These prayers are for all of us and especially for Mamta,” said Wirth.
“We are just humble servants trying to find justice for Mamta.”
