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.

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Insidenova.com: "The 37-year-old Manassas Park man, charged with concealing a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was denied bond during a hearing Monday morning in Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Manassas."

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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.

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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

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Update 5:40 p.m.: Naresh Bhatt has been charged with concealing a dead body. It is a felony charge of Prohibition Against Concealment of Dead Body in violation of Section 18.2-323.02 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. He is being held without bond at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.

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9:38 p.m. -- Manassas Park Police have determined the husband of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, Naresh Bhatt, is a person of interest. They also said he is no longer cooperating.

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Here is information about the upcoming National Night Out events in our region. The annual event is tomorrow, August 6, 2024, except Stafford County, which holds its event later in the year.

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The Prince William County Chamber of Commerce held its 38th Annual Valor Awards hosted by Julianna Valencia from WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., celebrating the bravery and dedication of police, fire, and rescue workers. 

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Chase Andrew Bolender, a 16-year-old boy, has been safely located. The Manassas Park Police Department reported his safe return, canceling the previously issued alert.

The Virginia State Police issued a Missing Endangered Child Alert on May 17, 2024, at 3:15 a.m. on behalf of the Manassas Park Police Department. Bolender, described as a White male, 5' 7" tall, weighing 130 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair, was last seen on May 16, 2024, at 7:30 PM on Andrew Drive in Manassas Park, Virginia. He was possibly wearing a black jacket, blue shirt, light blue jeans, and black Nike shoes.

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Prince William Chamber of Commerce press release: The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is proud to be hosting the 38th annual Valor Awards on May 21st at the Hylton Preforming Arts Center. These awards highlight the dedication of these brave individuals and the work they do for the community. Award-winning NBC4 anchor Juliana Valencia emcees the Valor Awards for the third year.

The Valor Awards is a special event that honors first responders that serve the local community and go above and beyond to ensure the safety of others. “BFPE International is proud to support the 2024 Prince William Valor Awards,” said Michelle Thompson, Director of Marketing at BFPE International. “We are in awe of each Valor Award recipient; their dedication and selfless act of heroism is inspiring.”

Award recipients have been nominated by their respective chiefs and selected by a committee of colleagues and members of the business community. This year’s awards will recognize members of the first responder community in the City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and in Prince William County.

This event is free, and it is open to all in the community. Attendees can expect to hear the inspiring stories of award recipients as they are recognized for their heroic actions. For more information about the event, visit the Chamber’s website at: https://bit.ly/4avWxRh or on their Facebook page at: https://bit.ly/43RlVik.