MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Manassas Park Police have confirmed to WUSA9 that a search is underway at Signal Hill Park in Prince William County in connection to the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
Signal Hill Park is less than a mile from Mamta's home which she shared with her husband and young daughter. Investigators believe 37-year-old Naresh Bhatt killed his wife, but he has not been charged with murder, nor has her body been found.
According to Manassas Park Police Chief Lugo, Prince William County Police Search and Rescue teams assisted the department in searching Signal Hill Park for any evidence connected to Mamta's disappearance after detectives developed information that led them to the area.
"Item(s) that have been collected are being processed to determine if they are connected to this investigation." Lugo wrote in an update to WUSA9 Friday night.
For hours, the community gathered across the street from the park. They held signs up that read "Justice For Mamta" and "Honk for Mamta".
Passing drivers obliged, continuously honking as the community held out hope.
"I'm hoping and praying. We need her back. I'm hoping that she's there and they found something. I don't know but I'm really praying," said Prabha Bhattarai Deuja.
Around 7:30 Friday night, the police officers left the park.
As the Prince William County Mobile Command Unit pulled out of the park, the community cheered and yelled 'Thank you!'. A community that refuses to give up on getting justice for Mamta.
"To see the unity to fighting for our girl. That is who we are. The Nepalese community is like that. We love each other. We support each other in times of need. It is not just our girl. It is somebody else's daughter," said Bhattarai Deuja.
After the search wrapped up and police left the scene, the community made their way back to the Manassas Park Police Department.
As the sun set on another night of her still missing, the community stood together.
"We need to have the end of the story. We need to have closure," said Bina Khadkalama.
Mamta was last seen at UVA Health Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27 and spoke to a friend on the phone on July 28, according to police. She wasn't reported missing by her husband until Aug. 5. Naresh Bhatt, 37, was arrested last week by Manassas Park Police and charged with a single class six felony count for concealing a dead body.
Since her husband's arrest, police have returned to the couple's home several times.
The couple's child was reunited with Mamta's family after they arrived from Nepal this week. For now, the little girl will stay with Mamta's family, but that could change in the future because while Mamta's family are citizens of Nepal, the baby is a U.S. citizen.