Man Who Allegedly Googled ‘How Long Does It Take to Get Married After Spouse Dies’ Charged With Wife’s Murder

A Manassas Park, Va. man who allegedly searched the internet for how soon a person can remarry after their spouse dies has been charged in his wife’s murder.

On Monday, Dec. 2, Naresh Bhatt was charged with two felonies in Prince William County Circuit - Criminal Division, according to online records. His charges include first-degree murder and physically defiling a dead body in relation to the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, despite her body not being found. 

The 28-year-old mother from Nepal was first reported missing on Aug. 5, days after she did not show up for work, which prompted a wellness check by local police, Manassas Park police previously said.

On Aug. 22, Naresh was charged with concealing a dead body after Virginia authorities found evidence in the couple’s home of a body being dragged out. 

Mamta Kafle was presumed dead after she was not seen or heard from since July 29 WUSA9 reported, citing Manassas Park Police.

According to the outlet, during the welfare check, Naresh told authorities that he and his wife were in the process of separating. 

In April, prosecutors said that Naresh allegedly used his work laptop to search "How long does it take to get married after spouse die" and "What happen to debt died spouse," the news station and The Washington Post reported.

He also allegedly googled, “What happens if spouse disappears in Virginia.”

Additionally, prosecutors accused Naresh of going to a Walmart in Chantilly on July 30 to buy three knives, with two still being unaccounted for. The next day, surveillance footag -

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e at another Walmart showed him buying cleaning supplies, prosecutors said.

Per the Post, prosecutors also alleged that Naresh got rid of a bloodstained bath mat in a donation bin outside of a Loudoun County gas station and was seen wearing gloves as he discarded bags into a trash compactor in the early morning hours after Mamta Kafle’s disappearance.

Legal counsel for Naresh argued in court that the 28-year-old is still alive, the Post reported. 

PEOPLE reached out to Naresh’s attorney for comment but did not immediately hear back. 

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Authorities have said they have looked extensively for Mamta Kafle.

"Searches ─ we've done over 10. We've done grid searches ─ searches with K9s," said Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo, per WUSA9. "In terms of search warrants and subpoenas, I think we're pushing probably 30 that we have submitted and received information on."

"My heart is hurt," her mother, Gita Kafle, told the news station. "She was a person who was very hardworking, very beautiful and very honest. She aspired to be somebody great and she worked really hard and she could be. I don't know what to say because I can never forget her but whenever I think about it I have my heartache."

Mamta Kafle and Naresh share a 1-year-old daughter, who has been in the care of her family.

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