Chief Mario Lugo of the Manassas Park Police addressed the media on Tuesday, providing updates on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, last seen over a month ago. Her husband has been charged with concealing a body and is currently held without bond.
Chief Lugo confirmed that police executed a new search warrant at the couple’s residence Tuesday afternoon. “We located additional evidence today,” he said, without disclosing specifics.
Addressing inquiries about the likelihood of Mamta’s still alive, Chief Lugo expressed a somber outlook. “I don’t believe she’s still alive,” he admitted while emphasizing the continued effort in the search based on incoming tips and leads.
The community has been notably active and supportive during the investigation. Chief Lugo praised the community’s efforts, stating, “It’s amazing… they’re keeping her in the spotlight, and it encourages us to continue with this investigation.”
Regarding inter-agency cooperation, Lugo mentioned collaborations with Loudoun and Fairfax counties and federal agencies like the FBI and Customs Border Patrol. He highlighted a critical lead involving the husband’s recent vehicle sale, which is now under police custody. “That was one of the deciding factors for moving quickly on certain things,” Lugo explained regarding the significance of the car’s sale.
As the case drew local and national attention, Lugo acknowledged the impact of community solidarity and the role of public support in propelling the investigation forward. “The tips have been helpful,” he noted, referencing a Facebook page created in support of finding Mamta, which provided valuable insights into her last known interactions.
In a recent court ruling, Naresh Bhatt was denied bond by a judge who labeled him a flight risk and a danger to the community, Insidenova.com reported. This decision came after chilling new evidence was presented by prosecutors in the case involving the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. The couple had been experiencing marital issues, which prosecutors believe motivated Naresh to murder Mamta. Despite extensive searches, her body has not yet been found.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Naresh Bhatt attempted to conceal his wife’s disappearance and misled the police by reporting her as missing. The prosecutors disclosed that Naresh had a history of domestic violence and controlling behavior, which further supported the charges against him. His efforts to sell significant assets, including a car and possessing multiple passports, indicated his potential to flee the country.
The community has been deeply affected by Mamta’s disappearance, with residents and activists rallying for justice and continuing to search for her. The case has garnered significant media attention, putting additional pressure on the authorities to resolve it swiftly. The ongoing investigation is supported by local police and federal agencies, ensuring a thorough search for Mamta and a robust examination of all evidence related to Naresh Bhatt’s alleged crimes.
This past weekend, hundreds of community members gathered for a vigil in Manassas Park to honor Mamta Kafle Bhatt. The event was not only a somber remembrance but also a rally calling for justice, as attendees expressed deep concern over the circumstances of her disappearance.
The vigil saw emotional speeches from family members, community leaders, and activists, all emphasizing the urgent need for continued efforts to find Mamta and hold those responsible accountable. The crowd, holding candles and signs, created a poignant scene of solidarity and hope for answers. This community support reflects the broader public attention the case has attracted, highlighting issues of domestic violence and the impact of such tragedies on families and communities.
Insidenova.com: “The 37-year-old Manassas Park man, charged with concealing a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was denied bond during a hearing Monday morning in Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Manassas.”
Hundreds of residents gathered at Signal Hill Park on Saturday, August 24, for a vigil to share their thoughts about the missing Manassas Park mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who is believed to have been murdered in her home.
The sound of children playing at the park was poignant as Kafle Bhatt disappeared just weeks before her daughter celebrated her first birthday. Speakers at the event highlighted that Mamta means “loving mother” in her native Nepal.
Initially expected to draw around 200 attendees, the vigil saw an overwhelming turnout of more than 800 people. The crowd was so large that the ceremony had to be paused and moved from inside the Signal Hill Park pavilion to a nearby hill to accommodate the gathering.
The event was organized to raise awareness about the 28-year-old woman, who was last seen in person on July 28, 2024. Her last known activity was posting a video of a religious ceremony on social media on July 29.
The vigil featured a multi-faith ceremony, uniting various religious communities in mourning and support for Kafle Bhatt. A recurring theme among the speakers was the need for women to speak up about domestic violence and seek help as soon as possible.
Virginia Delegate Michelle Maldonado (D) addressed the crowd, announcing her plans to introduce legislation to prevent domestic violence. The proposed bill would pair social workers with police officers responding to domestic violence calls, similar to the co-responder units that some police departments in Virginia use for those in mental health crises. Although Manassas Park, a city of 17,200 people, does not have such a program, neighboring Prince William County’s co-responder program, serving nearly a half-million residents, began in December 2020 and has been well received.
Organizers of the vigil also revealed that two separate crowdfunding efforts have raised over $221,000 for the care and education of Kafle Bhatt’s daughter, affectionately known as “Baby Mamta.” Lawyers have volunteered to set up a trust fund to manage the money, ensuring it goes solely toward the child’s needs.
Efforts are underway to expedite travel documents for Kafle Bhatt’s mother, who lives in Nepal so that she can reunite with her granddaughter in the U.S.
Despite the ever-increasing likelihood that Kafle Bhatt will not be found alive, police have not updated Kafle Bhatt’s status from “missing under involuntary circumstances,” even after her husband, Naresh Bhatt, was indicted on Friday on a felony count of concealing a body. During a brief court hearing, Bhatt heard prosecution evidence against him. The Commonwealth Attorney’s office presented evidence from detectives, who described finding freshly cleaned pools of blood and blood spatter in the master bedroom of the couple’s Manassas Park home.
Detectives reported that there were signs something “had been dragged” between the master bedroom and bathroom. Forensic experts testified that blood-detecting chemicals “lit up” the entire shower floor, indicating a lot of blood had pooled there. The blood samples forensic teams collected have been sent to a lab for identification, which could take several months.
Further testimony revealed that Bhatt had purchased knives and cleaning supplies at a Walmart in Loudoun County. Police have accounted for only one of the knives from a pack of three. Before a search warrant was executed on August 22, detectives said Bhatt sold his months-old Tesla to CarMax. Detectives also found packed suitcases and passports for Bhatt and the couple’s one-year-old daughter, suggesting travel plans.
According to updates from the ” Find Mamta Kafle Bhatt ” Facebook group, volunteer searchers have shifted their focus to Loudoun County and Maryland in light of the evidence presented in court.
Bhatt is scheduled to return to court on Monday for a bond hearing. Supporters of Mamta Kafle Bhatt plan to attend and urge the court to deny Bhatt’s release on bond.
