MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Newly released DNA evidence has revealed what led to the indictment of a Manassas Park man accused of killing his wife.
Naresh Bhatt was indicted on Dec. 2 by a grand jury in Prince William County on two new charges, first-degree murder and physically defiling a dead body. He was previously arrested and charged with concealing a dead body, on Aug. 22.
According to police, blood found in the bedroom and bathroom matched Mamta's DNA. Police say they believe she was killed in the bedroom and that her body was then dragged into the bathroom.
"The forensic unit of Prince William County said it was one of the worst crime scenes they've seen. That was one statement they made to the day that Naresh was arrested," said Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo.
Chief Lugo told WUSA9 they believe she was killed sometime between the night of July 29 and the morning of July 30. He also said he believes her body was dismembered.
Chief Lugo has said the DNA evidence was crucial in securing the grand jury's indictment.
This week, court records that include documents from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Forensic Science were made public.
According to documents, they collected DNA samples to create DNA profiles from the following:
- A hairbrush belonging to Mamta Kafle Bhatt
- Cheek swabs from Mamta Kafle Bhatt's daughter
- Cheek swabs from Mamta Kafle Bhatt's husband, Naresh Bhatt
- Cheek swabs from Mamta Kafle Bhatt's mother
- Cheek swabs from Mamta Kafle Bhatt's brother
The report also details some of the evidence that was collected by investigators and has since been tested to see if the DNA on it matches the DNA profiles that have been created for Mamta Kafle Bhatt, her family and her husband.
The items include a piece of carpet, a bathmat, swabs from a garbage can, and a reciprocating saw.
The report details how swabs were taken from a reciprocating saw, showing blood on some parts of the saw. DNA profiles were extracted, and while Naresh Bhatt and the couple's daughter were ruled out as contributors to the DNA found, Mamta Kafle Bhatt was not "eliminated as a major contributor" to the DNA found.
According to ToolStop, a reciprocating saw is a handheld power tool that cuts materials by moving a blade back and forth in a straight line. It's often used to cut through wood, metal, pipes, concrete, and drywall.
Bhatt's jury trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.