MANASSAS PARK, Va. (7News) — A large police presence surrounded the home of a missing mother who was last seen weeks ago in Manassas Park. Police told 7News that a search warrant was executed on the home on Wednesday.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, was last seen in Manassas Park and has had no contact with family and friends since her disappearance. According to police, officers went to her home on Aug. 2 after receiving a welfare request from her employer, and her husband reported her missing on Aug. 5.
Authorities held a press conference on Wednesday evening to provide an update on their search operation.Watch the press conference below:
Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said the department has followed up on leads and executed more than 10 search warrants, including one at Mamta’s home on Wednesday, and conducted hundreds of interviews related to the case.
Chief Lugo added that Mamta’s husband, Naresh Bhatt, was not cooperating with police and had been identified as a person of interest.
The search warrant for the home is expected to last several hours until Wednesday evening, Police Chief Lugo said. But even then, investigators must still wait for answers from forensic experts, and it is still unclear when the report will be available.
SkyTrak7 was live inside the home as officers entered and exited the house. Crime scene tape was also posted on the property.
It is believed that Mamta disappeared involuntarily as it was not her normal routine to be gone for such long periods, police said. She is described as weighing 60 kg, 5 feet 0 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. What she was last seen wearing is unknown and she does not own a car.
Here is the schedule according to the police:
July 27: Mamta was last seen at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center.
July 28: Mamta was talking to a friend.
July 31: Naresh was the last person to see Mamta.
2 August: Police responded to a welfare check at Mamta’s apartment and spoke with her husband, who did not want to report her missing at the time.
5 August: Nares officially reported Mamta missing to the police.
5-8 August: Detectives conducted a “comprehensive” investigation into the disappearance.
There has been an outpouring of community support over the past nearly three weeks since her disappearance. People from across Manassas Park and beyond have joined forces to search for Mamta as Manassas Park Police continue their investigation.
Police said the investigation was ongoing and that the public would be informed weekly of any updates.
