A 30-year-old Indian software engineer has been charged with the murder of his wife in the United States, nearly nine months after she was found dead inside their apartment in Bellevue, Washington.
Prosecutors allege that Avinash Narne intentionally strangled his 27-year-old wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, before staging the scene to make it appear that she had locked herself inside a bathroom and died unexpectedly.
The arrest follows an extensive investigation by Bellevue Police that uncovered digital evidence, forensic findings and communications prosecutors say point to a premeditated killing motivated by Narne’s alleged relationship with another woman in India.
If convicted of first-degree murder under Washington state law, Narne could face life imprisonment.
Wife Found Dead Less Than Six Months After Wedding
The incident dates back to late October 2025, when Bellevue Police received an emergency call from Narne reporting that his wife had locked herself inside the bathroom and was not responding.
Officers forced entry into the bathroom after arriving at the apartment and discovered Sabbineni lying unresponsive on the floor.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time, the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear.
However, a subsequent autopsy concluded that Sabbineni died from asphyxia caused by strangulation. Medical examiners officially ruled her death a homicide, prompting detectives to launch a full criminal investigation.
Husband’s Account Contradicted by Digital Evidence
During interviews with investigators, Narne claimed he had briefly left the apartment to run errands on the day of his wife’s death.
He told police that he returned approximately 40 minutes later, found the bathroom door locked, and called emergency services after receiving no response from his wife.
Investigators, however, say digital evidence undermined that version of events.
According to charging documents, detectives analysed data from the apartment’s smart-lock system and front-door security records.
The records confirmed that Narne had left the apartment briefly but showed no evidence that anyone else entered the residence during his absence.
Police concluded there was no indication that an intruder had entered the apartment to attack Sabbineni while Narne was away.
Secret Relationship Allegedly Uncovered
As detectives examined Narne’s communications and electronic devices, they allegedly uncovered what prosecutors describe as a motive for the killing.
Court documents claim Narne had been involved in a secret romantic relationship with another woman in India before marrying Sabbineni.
Investigators allege the relationship continued after his marriage and that the woman had even attended the couple’s wedding ceremony.
Police say Narne remained in regular contact with the woman after moving to the United States.
According to investigators, phone records show he spoke with her at least four times on the day Sabbineni died, including around the same period he later claimed he was attempting to enter the locked bathroom.
Photo Allegedly Sent After Death
One of the most significant allegations contained in the charging documents is that Narne sent the woman in India a photograph of Sabbineni’s body the day after her death.
According to prosecutors, Narne admitted during questioning that he had sent the image.
Investigators believe this communication forms part of the evidence supporting their allegation that the killing was intentional.
Messages Raised Earlier Concerns
Police also examined messages exchanged between the couple in the weeks leading up to Sabbineni’s death.
According to court documents, Sabbineni repeatedly complained that drinks prepared by her husband tasted unusually bitter.
On the day she died, she allegedly messaged Narne saying a smoothie he had prepared tasted like “medicine” and “cough syrup.”
When officers first arrived at the apartment, Narne reportedly suggested that his wife had been feeling ill and might have collapsed after consuming cough syrup.
Investigators have not publicly stated whether toxicology findings played any role in the murder investigation.
Arrest Comes After Months of Investigation
Although suspicion gradually focused on Narne, police allowed him to remain free for nearly eight months while investigators gathered evidence, reviewed digital records and conducted additional interviews.
The investigation culminated in a follow-up interview, after which Bellevue Police arrested him on suspicion of first-degree murder.
On July 1, prosecutors formally charged Narne with first-degree murder, alleging that the killing was deliberate and premeditated.
He is currently being held in custody on bail set at 5 million US dollars, approximately ₹48 crore.
The case is expected to proceed through the Washington state court system in the coming months.
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