Man Given Saw Prosecutors Say Was Used To Dismember PWC Woman Testifies In Murder Trial

MANASSAS PARK, VA – At the trial of a Manassas Park man accused of murdering his wife, prosecutors showed videos of a man they say is the suspect visiting multiple trash compactors and dumpsters and a witness explained why he gave police a band saw the suspect had given him.

Naresh Bhatt, 39, of Manassas Park, is accused of murdering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, in July 2024. Mamta Bhatt was last heard from on July 28, 2024. Her body has never been found. Bhatt was initially charged with concealing a dead body. Months later, murder charges were brought against him as well.

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Bhatt's trial began on Oct. 5, after multiple delays. Prosecutors opened their case by outlining the witness testimony and forensic evidence they intended to present, and have so far shown the jury what they say are blood-splattered blinds and blood tracks inside the Bhatt house.

This week, the prosecution has shown security footage it says depicts Bhatt disposing of full bags at a dumpster and trash compactor. Prosecutors also questioned a lawn care worker who says Bhatt gave him a saw later found to contain blood.

One witness described her security camera footage as it aired, saying it showed Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster in her Clark Place apartment complex in Manassas on July 30 and 31, 2024, to dispose of what looked like large bags of trash. At least once, Bhatt appeared to put on gloves before lifting the bags from his car.

A second witness, a former property manager at a Falls Church apartment complex also described footage from the complex showing a man prosecutors say is Naresh Bhatt throwing multiple bags into a trash compactor at the complex on July 30 and 31. The man also appears to be wearing gloves for at least one trip to dispose of the bags.

A lawn care worker, Jose Ayala, described how Bhatt offered him a saw in exchange for lawn care services. Ayala said he accepted the saw from Bhatt before learning that Bhatt was accused of killing his wife. Ayala said he spent about two weeks thinking about what to do, then brought the saw to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in September.

Bhatt is charged with first-degree murder, concealing a dead body and defiling a dead body. He is pleading not guilty. His trial is scheduled to run through November.