More than three weeks after his wife disappeared last month, a Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of “concealing a corpse,” police said.
Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Luge reported that Naresh Bhatt was arrested Thursday on charges of concealing a body in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, who was last seen in Manassas Park on July 31.
The Manassas Park City Police Department previously told USA TODAY that her disappearance was believed to be involuntary due to the length of time she has been missing. Police reported that the young mother, a pediatric nurse, has had no contact with family or friends since her disappearance.
The community is part of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and is located about 30 miles west of the state capital.
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“Additional evidence” found during search warrant in family home
On Wednesday, police said, detectives executed a search warrant at the family’s home and found “additional evidence” that led to his arrest. Officers did not disclose what they found or what led to the arrest.
“The Manassas Park Police Department is still investigating the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt and hopes to locate her,” the statement continued. “There are additional investigative leads that are being actively pursued and may result in additional charges.”
The couple has a daughter together who recently turned one year old, police said. She was placed in the care of social services after her father was arrested.
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When did Mamta Kafle Bhatt disappear?
On August 2, officers responded to Bhatt’s home after colleagues at Inova Fairfax Hospital raised concerns.
Police said her husband reported her missing on August 5.
“It’s really hard,” her husband previously told WUSA-TV, adding that the couple had been married for three years. “We had dinner the night of July 31.”
Bhatt told the outlet that there were no ongoing arguments between him and his wife and that he was “very sad.”
Bhatt is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Juvenile and Family Court on Friday, authorities said.
It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer.
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What does Mamta Kafle Bhatt look like?
According to police, Ms Bhatt is 1.52 m tall, weighs 60 kg and has black hair and dark brown eyes.
According to police, she was last seen wearing a blue surgical gown.
Nearly $15,000 raised to help
USA TODAY has contacted the missing woman’s family and her friend Nadia Navarro, who have launched an online fundraiser to help find her.
“We need help funding the search,” Navarro posted on a Facebook page set up to publicize the fundraiser. As of Friday, nearly $15,000 had been raised. “Every donation, no matter how large, can make a big difference.”
Anyone with information can call Manassas Police at 703-361-1136 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Solvers at 703-330-0330.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X at @nataliealund.
