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Indian techie kills wife in US home (Img: Dynamite News)
Washington: An Indian software engineer has been arrested in the United States in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, nearly nine months after she was found dead at their apartment in Bellevue, Washington.
Investigators allege that the accused strangled his wife before attempting to stage the scene as something else.
According to Bellevue Police, Avinash Narne (30) called emergency services on October 27, 2025, claiming that his wife, Raajitha Sabbineni (27), had locked herself in the bathroom and was not responding.
When officers entered the bathroom, they found Sabbineni lying on the floor. She was declared dead at the scene. The following day, the King County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide, stating that she died from asphyxia due to strangulation.
During the investigation, Narne initially told police that he had left the apartment for errands and returned to find his wife inside the locked bathroom. However, investigators said surveillance and other evidence did not indicate that anyone else had entered the residence during that period.
Police also alleged that Narne had been in a long-term relationship with a woman in India, which continued even after his marriage to Sabbineni in June 2025. Investigators claim he spoke to the woman several times on the day of the incident and allegedly sent her a photograph of his wife's body after the killing.
Investigators also recovered text messages in which Sabbineni had reportedly complained that drinks prepared by her husband tasted unusually bitter. On the day of her death, she allegedly messaged him saying a smoothie he made tasted like "medicine" and "cough syrup."
Authorities charged Narne with one count of first-degree murder on July 5, 2026. He remains in custody on $5 million bail and could face life imprisonment if convicted. The allegations against him will be tested during the judicial process.
Location : Washington
Published : 9 July 2026, 10:02 AM IST