Washington: A 30-year-old Indian software engineer has been arrested in the United States in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, nearly nine months after her death inside their Washington state apartment. Investigators claim the accused attempted to portray the incident as an accident, but forensic evidence and digital records pointed towards a planned homicide.
According to the Bellevue Police Department, the accused, Avinash Narne, has been booked on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his 27-year-old wife, Raajitha Sabbineni. The incident occurred on October 27, 2025, when Narne contacted emergency services claiming his wife had locked herself inside the bathroom and was not responding.
When police forced open the bathroom door, they found Sabbineni lying unconscious on the floor. She was declared dead at the scene. Although Narne initially maintained that he had stepped out briefly and returned to find the bathroom locked, investigators later questioned his version of events.
A post-mortem examination conducted by the King County Medical Examiner concluded that Sabbineni died due to strangulation, prompting authorities to classify the case as a homicide.
During the investigation, detectives uncovered evidence suggesting Narne had been involved in a long-term relationship with a woman in India, even after entering into an arranged marriage with Sabbineni in June 2025. Officials allege the relationship continued secretly following the wedding.
Police also examined the accused’s communication records and reportedly found multiple phone conversations with the woman in India on the day of the incident. Investigators further alleged that Narne sent her a photograph showing his wife’s body shortly after the alleged killing.
Another key aspect of the investigation involved text conversations recovered from Sabbineni’s mobile phone. According to investigators, she had repeatedly expressed concern over drinks and food allegedly prepared by her husband, describing their taste as unusual. On the day she died, she reportedly messaged him that a smoothie tasted like medicine and cough syrup, raising further suspicion during the probe.
Authorities said surveillance footage and other evidence did not support the possibility of any outsider entering the apartment during the period Narne claimed to have been away, strengthening the prosecution’s case.
Following months of investigation, Narne was formally charged with first-degree murder on July 5, 2026. He remains in custody with bail set at five million dollars. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under US law.
The case has drawn attention both in the United States and India, highlighting the role of forensic evidence, digital communication records, and electronic surveillance in unraveling complex criminal investigations.
