(NewsNation) — Naresh Bhatt, husband of missing woman Mamta Kafle Bhatt, waived his right to a preliminary hearing as he faces a charge of concealing a body.
Bhatt appeared in a Prince William County, Virginia, courtroom to waive his right to the hearing which was set for October. He has not been charged with the murder of his wife, who has been missing for more than a month.
The disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt
A nurse at a local hospital, Kafle Bhatt was last seen on July 27 at work. She spoke to a friend on July 28, the last time anyone heard from her.
When Kafle Bhatt didn’t show up for work on Aug. 1 her coworkers reported their concerns to police and asked for a wellness check. When investigators went to the home the next day, they spoke to Bhatt, who said he last saw his wife on July 31.
Bhatt declined to report his wife missing and investigators said he provided “additional information.” Three days later, he called the police to report Kafle Bhatt missing.
The Manassas Park Police Department issued a number of press releases in an effort to get the public’s help locating Kafle Bhatt with no success. After finding a lack of contact between Kafle Bhatt and family, friends or social media, they increased the alert to involuntary/critical missing person status.
Naresh Bhatt arrested
On Aug. 22, Bhatt was taken into custody and the couple’s infant daughter was taken into the custody of social services.
Investigators charged Bhatt with a felony count of concealing a body. Court documents revealed Bhatt had bought three knives on July 30 at a local Walmart and two were missing when police searched the couple’s home. A day later, investigators say Bhatt bought cleaning supplies at another Walmart.
During a search of the home on Aug. 21, court documents said investigators found evidence consistent with blood pooling and blood splatter in the main bedroom and the bed appeared to have been moved, blocking a closet. When it was removed, light pink stains were found on the bedroom carpeting.
Documents also said pools of blood were found in the bathroom and on the shower floor, with what investigators believed to be blood in the bathtub caulking. The home was also reportedly in disarray, with a suitcase packed. Bhatt, who sold his Tesla on Aug. 19, also had passports for himself and his daughter ready, investigators said.
Reportedly, Bhatt also conducted Google searches in April that included the questions “How long does it take to get married when spouse die,” and “What happen to debt died spouse.”
Police also said Bhatt had stopped cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation and had provided inconsistent statements about his wife’s disappearance.
One of Kafle Bhatt’s coworkers told the media that she had mentioned a domestic violence incident in February, where police were called to the home. Kafle Bhatt reportedly decided to attend counseling and try to make the marriage work rather than leave.
What’s next for the case?
With a preliminary hearing waived, the next step would be for the case to go to a grand jury. However, there are reports Bhatt’s public defender plans to waive that as well, which would mean the case would go straight to trial.
Bhatt’s attorney has said the evidence against him is weak because there is no proof that Kafle Bhatt is dead. There is the suggestion that moving the case to trial quickly would make it more difficult for prosecutors to build a stronger case.
The next hearing date in Bhatt’s case has not been set.
The police chief has indicated he believes Kafle Bhatt is unlikely to be alive, but Bhatt has not been charged with her murder.
An attorney for Kafle Bhatt’s family told local media that her brother and mother had been brought to the U.S. from Nepal on expedited visas. They had been reunited with the couple’s daughter, who is called Mini Mamta to protect her privacy.
It’s unclear what the long-term situation will be for the child, as she is a U.S. citizen, while Kafle Bhatt’s family are citizens of Nepal.
