Insidenova.com: “The trial of Naresh Bhatt on a felony charge of concealment of a dead body has been scheduled to begin Dec. 9 in Prince William County Circuit Court. The six-day trial was set for Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18, with an arraignment on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. and a pre-trial conference on Nov. 20. The trial dates were set Monday.”
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Keep the Park Beautiful hosted a street cleanup on Denver Drive in Manassas Park. Ten volunteers, ranging from 12 to 91 years old, collected over 225 pounds of litter in two hours. Volunteers included Keep the Park Committee members and the Vice Queen of the 2023 Manassas Park Latino Festival.

In addition to typical litter like cans and bottles, unusual items such as a bowling ball and an extensive liquor bottle were found. The cleanup extended to surrounding streets, including W. Rugby Drive and Holden Drive. The next cleanup event will occur on October 14 at Scott Drive Pocket Park.

Good morning Uriah,

Yesterday Keep the Park Beautiful (City of Manassas Park) held a street cleanup of Denver Drive. We have attached a variety of photos.

We had 10 volunteers who for two hours collected at least 225 lbs of litter. Our volunteers included Keep the Park Committee Members, Manassas Park residents (12 years old to 91 years young) and Vice Queen of 2023 Manassas Park Latino Festival.

In addition the cigarette buds, cans, bottles and juice boxes, we collected suitcase, bowling ball, large bottle of liquor and construction debris.

In addition to Denver Drive and surrounding streets, we cleaned up the W. Rugby Drive, behind the homes on Holden Drive.

Our next event is 10 am – 12 pm, Oct. 14, Scott Drive Pocket Park Cleanup.

For info: https://www.manassasparkva.gov/government/boards___committees/keep_the_park_beautiful_(kpb).php or email [email protected]

Thank you and please contact me with any questions.

Laura Hampton
Manassas Park City Council

Insidenova.com: “Naresh Bhatt’s defense took a step forward Friday morning as a Prince William Circuit Court judge partially granted a motion to compel, forcing the prosecution to turn over evidence related to Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s canceled Uber ride on July 27.” Read More

A 31-year-old man from Manassas City was found dead in Blooms Park on the night of September 6, 2024, after police and multiple agencies responded to a report of a lost hiker. The search included assistance from the Manassas Park Fire Department, Prince William County Police Department, Fairfax County Police Department, and Warren County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities have confirmed there is no suspected foul play and no threat to the public. The victim’s name has not been released, and the case has been handed over to the medical examiner for review.

This incident is unrelated to the case of the missing mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who is presumed dead. Police have conducted searches in Blooms Park and nearby areas for her body. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, was arrested and charged with felony concealing a body on Thursday.

Press Release

On September 06, 2024 at approximately 2100 hours, units responded to Blooms Park (9701 Manassas Dr) for a report of a lost hiker in the area. Units checked the area extensively in conjunction with the Manassas Park Fire Department, Prince William County Police Department, Fairfax County Police Department, and Warren County Sheriff’s Department. The subject was located deceased by units. There is no suspected foul play, and no threat to the public. The deceased is identified as a 31 year old male from Manassas City. The next of kin has been notified. The case has been turned over to the medical examiners office for review.

Insidenova.com: “A large police presence has assembled at the site of the former Manassas Christian School in Manassas Park. Holly Wirth, a friend and mentor of Mamta Bhatt’s, told an InsideNoVa reporter Thursday morning the search is related to the Bhatt case. Wirth has been in close communication with police since Naresh Bhatt’s arrest.”

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Manassas Park Police, with assistance from Prince William County Police and their Cadets, have closed Signal Hill Park on Signal View Drive in Manassas Park. The park, located approximately a mile and a half from the home of missing mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is closed immediately. Bhatt, a frequent visitor to the park, has been missing, triggering extensive searches.

Authorities have established a command post within the park’s pavilion, which notably hosted a vigil for Kaffle Bhatt last Saturday, drawing 800 attendees.

Officials have not disclosed the duration of the park closure. However, the closure will affect tonight’s and possibly tomorrow’s soccer activities by the Northern Virginia Soccer Club at the park’s fields.

It’s the first search for Kaffle Bhatt conducted by police. Volunteer residents organized previous searches.

We’ll bring you more updates as we have them.

Meanwhile, during a recent hearing in Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Thursday, August 29, Judge Katherine C. McCollam dealt directly with Naresh Bhatt, a 37-year-old man accused in his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s disappearance, related to the charge of concealing a dead body. Bhatt, who communicated through an interpreter, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, a move that accelerates the case’s progression directly to a grand jury, Insidenova.com reported.

The defense, led by Senior Assistant Public Defender Shalev Ben-Avraham, is pushing for a swift trial, suggesting that the evidence against Bhatt is weak and that a quick trial would prevent the commonwealth from solidifying their case. This sentiment was echoed by Holly Wirth, a former coworker of Mamta Bhatt at Inova Health System, during a news conference, indicating that while the current charge is serious, more severe charges are likely forthcoming.

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.

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.

On Thursday evening, more than 200 community members gathered at the Manassas Park home of a missing mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who was last seen earlier this month. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, was arrested and charged Thursday morning with felony concealing a body.

At a hearing on Friday morning in the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Bhatt remains in custody without bond. According to court documents, “a substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence” was found inside Bhatt and Kafle Bhatt shared.

The Prince William Times was present at the hearing and said prosecutor Sarah Sami shared details of the house search on Thursday with Judge Katherine McCollum.

Sami said the police found evidence of “significant pooled blood and blood spatter” in the main bedroom. There was also an indication that a body had been dragged from the main bedroom into a bathroom. Police also removed the bathtub in the same bathroom and found blood underneath it and along the caulking.

Police also have surveillance footage of Bhatt buying a pack of three knives at a Chantilly Walmart on July 30. He was also seen via footage buying cleaning supplies at a Loudoun County Walmart on July 31. Sami said police have not yet located two of the knives.

Sami said police discovered Bhatt had sold his blue Tesla car since Kafle Bhatt went missing and spoke to two people about possibly selling their shared home. Police also found a packed suitcase in a bedroom and passports belonging to Bhatt and the couple’s daughter visible.

Here is Potomac Local’s previous coverage of the case:

UPDATE: Police Say Husband is Person of Interest in Manassas Park Missing Woman Case

Breaking News: Husband Arrested, Charged with Concealing a Dead Body in Mamta Kafle Bhatt Case

Why the Delay? Residents Question Police Response in Missing Manassas Park Woman Case

Manassas Park Woman Missing Since July: Police Ask for Help