A HUSBAND who remains behind bars in connection to the disappearance of his wife made some suspicious Google searches and sold his car – cops are convinced these discoveries are damning.
Naresh Bhatt first reported that his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was missing on August 5, three days after police were called to their Manassas Park, Virginia, home to conduct a welfare check.
Prince William County authorities executed another search at the Bhatt’s residence on Tuesday, following up on several leads they say are crucial to their investigation.
Manassas Park police chief Mario Lugo confirmed that while detectives cannot disclose all of the additional evidence they found, they are “making progress” in their search, as reported by Fox affiliate WTTG.
The news comes just one day after Naresh, 37, appeared in court for his scheduled bond hearing.
On Monday morning, Naresh’s defense attorney revealed that his client had sold his car just days before his arrest.
Police tracked down the Tesla at a local dealership.
Chief Lugo confirmed that while police were able to retrieve the missing vehicle, investigators are still awaiting the results of a search warrant issued on the car.
SUSPICIOUS SEARCHES
During Monday’s bond hearing, prosecutors revealed they had also received new evidence from the US Secret Service.
In April, Naresh reportedly used his work computer to search for a number of disturbing queries.
Prosecutors claim he allegedly made a Google search for “How long does it take to get married when spouse die,” as reported by CBS affiliate WUSA.
Naresh’s second suspicious Google search was, “What happen [sic] to debt died spouse.”
In the weeks leading up to Mamta’s disappearance, prosecutors said that in addition to selling his vehicle, Naresh was also looking into selling the family’s home.
During one of their first investigations of the couple’s residence, police found many items already packed or boxed up.
They also found passports for both Naresh and his 1-year-old daughter.
Using Bluestar technology, investigators also found large amounts of blood in the couple’s primary bedroom and bathroom.
Timeline of Mamta's disappearance
Manassas Park mom Mamta Kafle Bhatt has been missing since at least July 31.
July 27– Mamta was last seen at her job as a pediatric nurse at the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center
July 28– Mamta spoke to her friend on the phone and posted a video of her daughter, Neema, on her TikTok account
July 30 – Naresh travels to a nearby Walmart, allegedly purchases three knives, two of which are still unaccounted for
July 31– Naresh claims this is the last time he saw Mamta
July 31– Naresh travels to the same Walmart, allegedly purchases cleaning supplies
August 2 – Mamta’s co-workers called a welfare check to her house. Police spoke to Naresh, who didn’t want to report her as missing
August 5 – Naresh officially reports Mamta as missing
August 21 – Police search Mamta and Naresh’s home. Naresh is named as a person of interest as cops claim he’s not cooperating with police
August 22– Naresh was handcuffed and taken into police custody
August 26– Naresh is denied bond during a scheduled court hearing, with the judge noting that he poses a significant flight risk
August 27– Police execute another search warrant on the couple’s home. They spend three hours combing through the property and unearth new, still undisclosed evidence
They said it appeared as though a body had been “dragged out” of the couple’s home.
Naresh’s attorney tried to argue that the amount of blood was minimal.
“That’s maybe a nosebleed, judge,” the defense attorney said.
Police mentioned Naresh’s movements in the days leading up to Mamta’s disappearance.
They said that on July 30, he traveled to a Chantilly Walmart, about 12 miles north of the couple’s home.
While in town, he bought three knives.
I’m really tired. Tired, exhausted – physically, mentally, economically. I’m suffering.
Naresh Bhatt
As of August 28, two of those knives have not been accounted for.
Naresh also returned to the Chantilly Walmart on July 31, where he purchased cleaning supplies.
Prosecutors are accusing Naresh of murdering his wife and concealing her body.
Because Mamta’s body has yet to be found, he is currently facing a class six felony charge in connection with concealing a dead body.
During Monday’s bond hearing, the judge denied Naresh’s release, and ordered him to remain in jail without bond, citing that he posed a significant flight risk.
Naresh has a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 24.
MISSING MAMTA
Mamta was last seen at the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27.
Police also confirmed that she had spoken to a friend on the phone the following day.
On July 28, Mamta posted a video of her baby crawling up the stairs to her TikTok account.
Friends and family members say the last time they remember speaking with Mamta was on July 30.
However, when she failed to show up for her scheduled work shifts on August 1 and 2, concerned coworkers contacted the police.
When police conducted a welfare check, Naresh told them that his wife wasn’t missing.
Instead, he said that he had last seen Mamta on July 31 and that she was currently visiting family in Texas or New York.
Mamta’s relatives all reside in Nepal.
On August 5, he finally reported her missing.
Weeks later, and days before his arrest, Naresh admitted that he was the one “suffering” as a result of Mamta’s disappearance.
“I’m really tired. Tired, exhausted – physically, mentally, economically. I’m suffering,” he told Fox affiliate WTTG.
“I’m suffering a lot,” he added.
The couple’s daughter, Neema, 1, is currently being cared for by an “approved caregiver” according to both the Department of Social Services and the Manassas Park Police Department.
A GoFundMe for Neema has raised over $226,000 of its $250,000 goal.
During a city council meeting on Tuesday, members of the community gathered outside of City Hall, holding signs demanding “Justice for Mamta.”
Chief Lugo maintains that while investigators don’t believe Mamta is alive at this point, they are still working tirelessly to find her body.
“We want the same thing — justice for Mamta,” he said.
“We want to figure out what happened and hold whoever is responsible accountable,” he added.
