Virginia man convicted of murdering and dismembering wife

A Virginia jury convicted Naresh Bhatt, 39, of murdering his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, rejecting his claim that she died by suicide. The jury also found him guilty of concealing and defiling her body. Bhatt testified that he found his wife unconscious on July 30, 2024, panicked when revival attempts failed, dismembered her body, and disposed of the remains with the trash. Her body has not been found.

Bhatt admitted to dismembering his wife but denied killing her, saying he was one of several factors leading to her suicide. He described finding her lifeless in a pool of vomit, pills, and poison at their home in Manassas, Virginia. He said his whole body shook uncontrollably when he discovered her on the bedroom floor.

“This verdict represents an important measure of justice for Mamta Kafle Bhatt, whose life was tragically taken and whose family has endured more than two years of unimaginable pain and uncertainty.”

A clinical psychologist from Fordham University testified that Bhatt has PTSD and is not lying about his mental health issues. The expert said panicking and not knowing what to do is consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder. The defense rested its case after presenting a narrative linking Bhatt's actions to an impoverished childhood in Nepal and an alleged kidnapping and assault by Maoist rebels.

Prosecutors called rebuttal witnesses late in the trial. Mamta Bhatt's mother, Gita Kafle, testified through an interpreter that her daughter would not have died by suicide. Bhatt remained expressionless as the verdict was read and briefly spoke with his lawyer. Family members of Kafle Bhatt embraced after the decision, with one thanking a prosecutor.

Bhatt faces life in prison for the murder charge and up to five years for each of the two body-related charges. The judge revoked his bail, and sentencing is scheduled for March 12. Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth said the verdict represents an important measure of justice and allows the family to begin moving forward.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt was last seen on July 27, 2024, at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, where she worked as a registered nurse. The case began with her sudden disappearance more than two years ago. CNN sought comment from Bhatt's attorney.