A jury in Virginia has determined that Naresh Bhatt committed first degree murder of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. This verdict came after nearly six weeks of evidence gathering, concluding on November 10th.
Bhatt was found guilty of hiding and desecrating his wife’s body. He admitted to dismembering her but denied killing her. Mamta’s body has never been located.
Jury Rejects Bhatt’s Suicide Claim
Bhatt testified that he discovered his wife unconscious in their bedroom on July 30, 2024. He claimed she attempted suicide and that he tried to revive her. Despite his panic, he did not contact emergency services and confessed to cutting her body with a saw and disposing of it in garbage bags. He also admitted to taking their infant daughter with him during some of these actions.
Prosecutors argued that he murdered his wife and attempted to conceal the crime. The jury found his explanations unconvincing and convicted him of first degree murder.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt Goes Missing in July 2024
The case began when 28 year old Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a registered nurse and mother, went missing in July 2024. She was last seen on July 27th at UVA Health Prince William Medical Centre, where she worked. A friend saw her the following day, and she posted a video with her daughter online.
Her sudden disappearance alarmed her family, friends, and colleagues, prompting efforts from her family and the Nepalese community to locate her. Initially, Naresh Bhatt claimed ignorance about her whereabouts but was arrested on August 22, 2024, and charged with multiple offenses, including first degree murder and concealing a dead body.
Evidence Presented During Trial
During the six week trial, prosecutors showcased forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and phone records. Investigators examined a power saw purchased by Bhatt before Mamta’s disappearance, which contained DNA matching hers. Bloodstains were found in the couple’s bedroom, along with evidence of purchased garbage bags and cleaning supplies.
Witnesses, including family members and acquaintances, testified about the couple’s relationship. The defense questioned some of the prosecution’s evidence and suggested reasonable doubt, but the jury found Bhatt guilty on all counts.
Bhatt Could Face Life in Prison
Following the verdict, the judge revoked Bhatt’s bail, keeping him in custody until sentencing. The first degree murder charge carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life in Virginia, with additional penalties for the other charges. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2027.
“This verdict marks a significant step toward justice for Mamta and her family, who have endured uncertainty and pain for over two years,” stated the prosecutor.
Body Still Not Found
Despite Bhatt’s conviction and his admission of dismembering and hiding her body, Mamta’s remains have not been discovered. This leaves her family without closure and unable to give her a proper burial. While the case has seen major developments impacting the Nepalese community, Mamta’s body remains missing.