An Indian software engineer has been arrested in the United States, nearly nine months after his wife was found dead at their apartment in Bellevue, Washington. Investigators allege that Avinash Narne (30) strangled his wife, Raajitha Sabbineni (27), staged the crime scene and later sent a photograph of her body to his longtime girlfriend in India, a piece of evidence that played a crucial role in the investigation.
According to investigators, the couple had entered into an arranged marriage in June 2025, despite Narne allegedly being in a long-term relationship with another woman in India. Police said the relationship continued even after his marriage, and the two remained in frequent contact. On the day of the incident, Narne allegedly made at least four phone calls to his girlfriend, including around the time he claimed to have discovered his wife unconscious inside a locked bathroom.
Police were called to the apartment on October 27, 2025, after Narne reported that his wife had locked herself in the bathroom and was not responding. Officers forced open the door and found Sabbineni dead. An autopsy later concluded that she had died from asphyxia due to strangulation, and her death was ruled a homicide. Investigators subsequently found inconsistencies in Narne’s statements and gathered digital evidence that contradicted his version of events.
Authorities also recovered text messages exchanged between the couple in which Sabbineni repeatedly complained that drinks prepared by her husband tasted unusually bitter. On the day of her death, she reportedly messaged him that a smoothie he had made tasted like “medicine” and “cough syrup.” Investigators are examining these messages as part of the evidence collected in the case.
Following months of investigation, Narne was charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held on USD 5 million bail. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the alleged extramarital relationship, digital trail and the chilling evidence uncovered during the investigation.
