MANASSAS, Va. – In a stark courtroom testimony on Thursday, Prince William County Circuit Court heard Naresh Bhatt describe the moments after he found his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, dead on their bedroom floor. Bhatt, who faces first‑degree murder, concealing a dead body and defiling a dead body charges, recounted the discovery and the actions he took afterward.
Discovery and initial response
According to Bhatt’s own words, he entered the bedroom on the morning of July 30, 2024 and saw his wife’s body lying face‑down with vomit covering her face and the floor. He said the vomit contained blood, food particles, pill capsules and traces of Celphos, a high‑potency agricultural fumigant used to kill insects.
Bhatt told the judge that he immediately reached out to his wife, attempted to speak to her and performed CPR, describing the effort as a “lifesaving measure.” He said he also called emergency services before deciding to cut the body into pieces, beginning with an attempt to separate her legs from her torso.
Charges and investigation background
The trial follows a months‑long investigation that began after Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a nurse at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, failed to report for work. Police learned she had not been seen since July 29, 2024. Friends and family noted that she would not have abandoned her infant daughter, prompting a missing‑persons report.
Bhatt filed a missing‑persons report on August 5, 2024, claiming his wife had threatened to leave and suggested a divorce. Investigators later discovered bloodstains in the couple’s primary bedroom and bathroom, as well as a power saw containing hair fragments. Bhatt was arrested on August 22, 2024 and has remained in custody since.
Trial developments
The prosecution is expected to rest its case soon, with the defense yet to present its narrative. Bhatt’s testimony, given under oath, is a central piece of the prosecution’s effort to establish intent and premeditation. The defense has not publicly commented on the specifics of Bhatt’s statements.
Family members of Mamta Kafle Bhatt have expressed grief and frustration, noting that she was a dedicated mother and healthcare professional. The case has drawn attention from the local community, which is awaiting further updates as the trial proceeds.
Legal context
Virginia law defines first‑degree murder as a willful, premeditated killing. The additional charges of concealing a dead body and defiling a dead body carry significant penalties, reflecting the seriousness of the alleged actions.
As the trial continues, the court will consider forensic evidence, including the bloodstains, the power saw, and any other material that can corroborate or refute Bhatt’s account. The outcome will hinge on whether the jury finds sufficient proof of intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
Community impact
Manassas residents have voiced concern over the tragic loss of a local nurse and the unsettling nature of the alleged crime. Local faith leaders have offered prayers for the family and called for justice to be served in accordance with the rule of law.
The case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the role of the judicial system in addressing violent crimes that affect families and neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
