Neighbors and local residents join in a tribute, honoring the absent Virginia woman whose spouse stands accused of her murder.
Narash Bhatt is due in court on Monday for a bond hearing, accused of murdering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, inside their home in July. He's facing a felony charge of hiding a body, as per Manassas Park Police, according to a preliminary criminal complaint obtained by CNN affiliate WJLA.
The complaint alleges, "on or about July 30, 20XX, the accused, Naresh Bhatt, murdered his wife, Mamta Bhatt."
Bhatt was cuffed and led out of their residence by police on Thursday morning, following a search warrant served the previous day, as per footage from WJLA.
A makeshift memorial, adorned with photos, flowers, and candles, has been growing outside the house ever since, according to WJLA's report.
Saturday saw hundreds of friends, colleagues, and community members gather at Signal Hill Park to pay tribute to Kafle Bhatt, as reported by CNN affiliate WTOP. The pavilion filled up quickly, leading organizers to move participants to a hill in the park.
Sunita Basnet Thapa, event co-organizer and former co-worker, told WTOP, "Mamta has a big, emotional family. We care about her. She is loved. And, also, we have a big responsibility to take care of Mini Mamta."
Video footage shows authorities carrying an infant out of Bhatt's home after his arrest.
Virginia State Sen. Danica Roem was among the attendees at the Saturday gathering, acknowledging the women who "knew something was wrong immediately and really, really raised their voices consistently and persistently."
Following Kafle Bhatt's reported disappearance, friends and community took to social media to spread awareness and share investigation updates. The Nepali American Community Center in Manassas established a communication line with police to keep up with case developments.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support search efforts.
Kafle Bhatt was last seen at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27, where she worked as a registered nurse. She spoke with a friend on July 28, and her husband claimed to have seen her for the last time on July 31, according to police.
The health system is cooperating with investigators.
UVA Health Prince William Medical Center spokesperson Eric Swensen said in a statement to CNN, "UVA Health is heartbroken to learn the devastating news that Mamta Kafle Bhatt is presumed deceased. First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mamta’s loved ones, friends, and colleagues, and we grieve together with our community and all who knew Mamta."
Kafle Bhatt's colleagues requested a welfare check when she didn't show up for work, and Bhatt initially refused to report her missing during the police welfare check on August 2. He later declared her missing three days later, as per authorities' statement in a news release.
Bhatt, a former US Army Reserve automated logistics specialist, is currently being held without bail, according to WJLA.
Some community members expressed little surprise at Bhatt's arrest in connection with his wife's disappearance. Neighbor Ivy Freedman told CNN affiliate WUSA9, "The mother wouldn’t leave her baby. Definitely wouldn’t miss her first birthday."
The community is ensuring that Kafle Bhatt's young daughter is not overlooked in the tragedy. Adrian Pokharel, a community member, told WUSA9, "The baby is innocent in any circumstances. We got to protect her. That’s our baby. That’s our community baby. That’s the way I look at it."
A GoFundMe campaign to support a trust account for the child, whose care is being handled by the Department of Social Services, has amassed nearly $200,000 in donations.
The Kafle Bhatt family members in Nepal have obtained visas and are currently in the process of traveling to the United States to seek emergency custody of the child, as per immigration attorney Bandita Sharma Dhal.
During the bond hearing on Monday, it will be crucial for us to ensure that justice is served for Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Despite facing multiple charges, Bhatt's loved ones continue to rally around his daughter, showing their support by donating to a GoFundMe campaign for her care.
