US murder case: Nearly nine months after a 27-year-old Indian woman was found dead inside her apartment in Washington state, US authorities have charged her husband, an Indian software engineer, with first-degree murder. Investigators allege that he strangled his wife, attempted to disguise the killing as an unexplained death and continued to mislead the police during the investigation.

The accused, Avinash Narne, originally from Telangana and employed as a software development engineer in the United States, is currently being held on a USD 5 million (approximately Rs 48 crore) bail. If convicted under Washington state law, he could face life imprisonment.

Death initially reported as an emergency

The case dates back to October 2025, when Bellevue Police received an emergency call from Narne claiming that his wife, 27-year-old Raajitha Sabbineni, had locked herself inside the bathroom and was not responding.

Officers forced open the bathroom door and found Sabbineni lying on the floor. She was declared dead at the scene. The couple had been married for less than six months at the time of the incident.

However, a post-mortem examination later revealed that Sabbineni had died due to asphyxia caused by strangulation, prompting authorities to classify the case as a homicide.

Digital evidence contradicted husband's account

During questioning, Narne told investigators that he had briefly left the apartment to run errands and returned about 40 minutes later. He claimed that after discovering the bathroom locked and receiving no response from his wife, he contacted emergency services.

Investigators, however, said the digital evidence did not support the possibility of an outsider entering the apartment during that period.

According to charging documents, police examined data from the apartment's smart-lock system and front-door security records. While the records confirmed that Narne had left the apartment for a short time, they also showed that no one else entered the residence while he was away.

Based on this evidence, detectives ruled out the possibility that an unknown intruder was responsible for Sabbineni's death.

Investigation uncovered alleged secret relationship

As the investigation progressed, detectives examined Narne's phone records and personal communications, uncovering what prosecutors have described as a possible motive.

Court documents allege that Narne had been involved in a secret romantic relationship with another woman in India before marrying Sabbineni. Investigators claim the relationship continued after the wedding and that the woman had even attended the couple's marriage ceremony.

Police allege Narne remained in regular contact with the woman following his marriage.

Investigators also found that he made at least four phone calls to her on the day of Sabbineni's death, including around the time he later claimed he was trying to gain access to the locked bathroom.

According to the charging documents, Narne also admitted during questioning that he sent the woman a photograph of Sabbineni's body the day after her death.

#BREAKING:

Telugu guy Avinash Narne accused of murdering his 27-yr-old wife Raajitha Sabbineni, has pleaded not guilty.

He is now in Jail on $5 million bail.

???? Avinash Narne in court ????

Video courtesy: KING5 Seattle pic.twitter.com/uoRpu8WNNZ

— M9 USA???????? (@M9USA_) July 8, 2026

Messages raised questions before death

Investigators also examined messages exchanged between the couple in the weeks leading up to the incident.

According to court documents, Sabbineni had repeatedly complained to her husband that beverages prepared by him had an unusually bitter taste.

On the day of her death, she allegedly messaged Narne saying that a smoothie he had made tasted like "medicine" and "cough syrup". Authorities have included these communications as part of the investigation.

Following Sabbineni's death, Narne remained free for nearly eight months while investigators continued reviewing digital evidence, interviewing witnesses and analysing forensic material.

The investigation culminated in a fresh interview with Narne, after which Bellevue Police arrested him on suspicion of first-degree murder.

On July 1, prosecutors formally filed a charge of first-degree murder, alleging that the killing was intentional and premeditated.

The case is expected to proceed through the Washington state court system, where prosecutors will present the evidence gathered during the lengthy investigation. Narne remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.