A 30-year-old Indian software engineer has been arrested in the United States for allegedly murdering his wife and staging the scene to appear as an accident, nearly nine months after she was found dead in their apartment. Avinash Narne faces a first-degree murder charge and could be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted.
Arrest and Charges
According to the Bellevue Police Department, Narne was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of his 27-year-old wife, Rajitha Sabbineni. She was found dead on October 27, 2025, in their apartment in Bellevue, Washington. The arrest came on July 5, 2026, after a prolonged investigation.
Investigators allege that Narne strangled Sabbineni before attempting to mislead authorities by claiming she had locked herself inside the bathroom. Police documents state that Narne called 911 on the day of the incident, reporting that his wife had locked herself in the bathroom and was not responding. When officers forced open the door, they found Sabbineni lying on the floor; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Evidence and Investigation
During initial questioning, Narne told investigators he had stepped out of the apartment to run errands and returned about 40 minutes later to find the bathroom locked. However, surveillance footage and other evidence did not indicate that anyone else entered the apartment during the period Narne claimed to be away.
The following day, the King County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Sabbineni died from asphyxia due to strangulation, officially ruling the death a homicide. This ruling prompted a detailed homicide investigation that continued for several months.
Alleged Secret Relationship
Investigators said the probe revealed Narne had allegedly been involved in a long-term relationship with another woman in India, even after entering into an arranged marriage with Sabbineni on June 5, 2025. According to police documents, the woman allegedly attended Narne's wedding, and the two remained in contact after his marriage.
Officials said Narne made at least four phone calls to the woman on the day of Sabbineni's death, including around the time he claimed he was trying to gain access to the locked bathroom. Police also alleged that Narne sent the woman a photograph of Sabbineni's body.
Victim's Messages and Suspicious Behavior
Investigators also recovered text messages exchanged between the couple. According to police, Sabbineni had repeatedly complained that drinks prepared by Narne tasted unusually bitter. 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 toxicology findings formed part of the murder charge.
Legal Proceedings
Narne was formally charged with first-degree murder on July 5, 2026. He is being held in custody on $5 million bail and could face life imprisonment if convicted. The case remains under investigation by the Bellevue Police Department.
