Naresh Bhatt, a 37-year-old Indian-American man residing in the United States, has been arrested for allegedly hiding the body of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. The 28-year-old mother of two vanished three weeks ago, and while Bhatt has not been formally charged with murder, authorities are investigating his involvement in her death.
Bhatt initially expressed concern over his wife’s disappearance, telling WUSA that it was not the first time she had vanished. He claimed to be distraught, saying, “I’m the one who is suffering. She is my baby’s mom. She is my wife. I’m the one suffering, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.” However, the investigation revealed inconsistencies and suspicious evidence that ultimately led to his arrest.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt was last seen on July 27 at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, where she worked as a registered nurse. Her last conversation with a friend was on July 28, and she uploaded a final video of herself and her daughter on TikTok that same day.
Nadia Navarro, Mamta’s former roommate, shared that Mamta tried to call her on July 28 but missed her calls as she was asleep. Later, a person who had met Mamta at her baby shower contacted Nadia, inquiring about Mamta’s whereabouts. Nadia expressed disbelief at the possibility of Mamta being missing, describing her as calm and responsible, unlikely to leave impulsively.
Investigators discovered that Bhatt was caught on surveillance cameras at a Walmart on July 30 purchasing a set of three knives, with two missing after a police search. The following day, he was seen at a different Walmart buying cleaning products. In a later interview, Bhatt claimed the last time he saw his wife was on July 31.
The authorities investigated the lack of contact between Mamta and her friends and family, along with the suspicious evidence found. Initially cooperative, Bhatt was arrested on August 22 after a search of his home. He is currently in custody pending further investigation. The case is still under development as authorities continue to gather evidence and piece together the events leading up to Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance.
