An Indian software engineer has been arrested in the United States for allegedly murdering his wife nearly nine months after she was found dead inside their apartment. Police claim the accused, Avinash Narne (30), strangled his wife, Raajitha Sabbineni (27), and later tried to make the incident appear suspicious instead of revealing what had happened.
The arrest comes after a lengthy investigation by the Bellevue Police, which uncovered evidence that reportedly contradicted Narne’s original statement to investigators.
Wife Found Dead Inside Apartment Bathroom
According to police, the incident took place on October 27, 2025, when Narne called emergency services and reported that his wife had locked herself inside the bathroom and was not responding.
Officers reached the apartment soon after. They forced the bathroom door open and found Sabbineni lying on the floor. Medical personnel declared her dead at the scene.
Initially, Narne told investigators that he had stepped out of the apartment to run errands. He claimed that when he returned around 40 minutes later, he found the bathroom locked and his wife inside.
However, investigators later reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence. They found no indication that anyone else entered the apartment while Narne was away.
Medical Report Confirmed Homicide
The following day, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Sabbineni’s death was a homicide.
The post-mortem examination concluded that she died due to asphyxia caused by strangulation. This finding became a major turning point in the investigation and shifted the case from an unexplained death to a murder inquiry.
Investigation Revealed Alleged Secret Relationship
As investigators examined Narne’s personal life, they reportedly discovered that he had been involved in a long-term relationship with another woman in India.
Police said the relationship continued even after Narne entered into an arranged marriage with Sabbineni on June 5, 2025. According to officials, the woman even attended the couple’s wedding.
Despite the marriage, investigators believe the two continued communicating regularly.
Police Say Calls and Messages Raised Suspicion
Officials stated that on the day of Sabbineni’s death, Narne made at least four phone calls to his alleged girlfriend.
Some of these calls reportedly happened around the same time Narne claimed he was trying to enter the locked bathroom.
Investigators also alleged that Narne sent a photograph of his wife’s body to the woman after the incident. Police consider this communication an important part of the evidence collected during the investigation.
Victim Had Earlier Raised Concerns About Drinks
The investigation also uncovered text messages exchanged between Sabbineni and her husband.
According to police, Sabbineni had previously complained that drinks prepared by Narne tasted unusually bitter. She reportedly mentioned this concern several times through text messages.
On the day of her death, she allegedly messaged him that a smoothie he made tasted like “medicine” and “cough syrup.”
Authorities have not publicly stated whether these messages are directly connected to the cause of death. However, investigators included them as part of the evidence in the case.
Murder Charge Filed Against Accused
After months of investigation, authorities charged Avinash Narne with one count of first-degree murder on July 5, 2026.
He is currently being held in custody on $5 million bail. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under US law.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities may reveal additional details as court proceedings continue.