MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Neighbors of a Manassas Park woman who has been missing for a month say police returned to her home Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Mario Lugo confirmed his detectives were on scene to execute a search warrant, but wouldn't comment on what kind of evidence they were searching for.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt 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.
Prosecutors have not presented evidence to charge Naresh Bhatt with murder and he has not confessed to killing his wife. Mamta Kafle Bhatt's body has also not yet been found, and her phone last pinged near a body of water in Loudoun County. A judge ruled Monday that Naresh Bhatt be held in jail without bond, calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community. His defense attorney tried to argue that without a body he should not be in custody, but the argument failed.
Investigators from both Manassas Park Police and Prince William County Police showed up to Mamta Kafle Bhatt's house around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, and stayed until 3 p.m. One neighbor said firefighters brought a ladder inside to search in the attic, while another neighbor spotted a dog being used to sniff the basement area. Another neighbor recorded video of police bringing in a large roll of butcher paper.
The home has continued to be the focal point of the investigation into what happened to Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
"It's very scary and we also hope it's going to find something and bring a step forward," neighbor Ursula Smith said. "Our prayers still to Mamta of course. To be in the courthouse yesterday, it was almost like a knife in your heart because he didn't say anything."
Tuesday's search warrant is one of about a dozen executed since Mamta Kafle Bhatt went missing. Investigators say there's enough evidence, including blood in the house, to suggest Mamta Kafle Bhatt was dragged out of her home.
"I'm pretty sure he did it," neighbor Holly Giehler said. "I guess I can't say it 100%, but I can say it 99%. I'm glad his bail was denied. He did that to his wife -- someone he was supposed to love, protect, and cherish."
In court Monday, prosecutors said Bhatt tried to sell his home before his arrest and bought knives in Chantilly, two of which are missing. The attorneys also say Bhatt used his work laptop to search "how long it takes to get married after a spouse dies."
Naresh Bhatt is due back in court Thursday for his next hearing.