Search for body of missing Manassas Park mother continues
Prince William County authorities have conducted another search of the home of Naresh Bhatt. Bhatt remains in jail on charges of hiding a body in connection with his wife’s disappearance. FOX 5’s Lili Zheng has the latest details.
MANASSAS PARK, Virginia. – Prince William County authorities have conducted another search of the home of Naresh Bhatt, who remains in jail on charges of concealing a body in connection with his wife’s disappearance.
Bhatt, 37, was arrested last week in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, who was last seen in late July.
“We have conducted multiple searches for Mamta and continue to search for her. Today we executed another search warrant on the residence to obtain additional evidence. The evidence we are seeking cannot be disclosed at this time. We are following up on the tips we receive and continuing to investigate this case,” Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said in an email Tuesday.
The search of the couple’s house lasted about three hours. A day earlier, a judge had denied Bhatt bail because his lawyer had argued in court that there was not enough evidence to send his client to prison.
Since Mamta’s body has not yet been found, the official charge against Bhatt is corpse concealment.
Mamta’s case sparked searches by both the police and the public. Nadia Navarro, a friend of Mamta, founded a Facebook group dedicated to finding her.
Navarro said there are plans to expand the search to Loudoun County and Maryland if necessary.
“One of the findings of the police was that he had been buying knives. They can’t find all the knives he bought, so we know more now,” Navarro said. “Personally, I also take steps to protect myself. It’s bad enough to go to a friend’s funeral so young, but it’s even worse when they’re in a state that shows how much trauma they’ve experienced.”
These searches are not being conducted in cooperation with the police, Police Chief Lugo told FOX 5 on Tuesday.
“If we identify an area that needs to be searched, we will ask the public for assistance if necessary,” he wrote in an email.
Husband of missing Manassas Park mother denied bail
New details emerge about the man suspected of murdering his wife. Naresh Bhatt was denied bail on Monday while police continue to search for Mamta Kafle’s body.
Navarro was outside the home on Tuesday while police searched the house.
The last time she was inside was about a week ago, before Bhatt was arrested. Friends were celebrating Bhatt’s daughter’s first birthday.
“We wanted to give her the opportunity to feel like a normal child. Some people have said, oh, maybe she doesn’t remember this. She still has feelings. Babies can experience trauma. It’s healthy for them to be surrounded by people they know and care about. Plus, it’s an opportunity for us to get her diapers and baby formula through donations,” she said.
A preliminary hearing for Bhatt is scheduled for October.
