A 30-year-old Indian software engineer has been charged with first-degree murder nearly nine months after his wife was found dead inside their apartment in Bellevue, Washington.
Prosecutors allege that statements made by the husband were contradicted by digital evidence, including internet searches and phone records.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Avinash Narne on July 1 in connection with the death of his 27-year-old wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, who was found unresponsive in the bathroom of the couple’s apartment on October 27, 2025.
Narne remains in custody on $5 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on July 7.
911 Call Sparks Investigation
According to court documents, Narne called 911 on the night of October 27 and told dispatchers that his wife had locked herself inside the bathroom and was not responding.
Police officers who arrived at the apartment forced open the bathroom door and found Sabbineni lying on the floor.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During initial questioning, Narne reportedly told investigators that his wife had been feeling unwell and suggested that she may have consumed cough syrup before entering the bathroom.
However, detectives later found what they described as inconsistencies in his version of events, leading to a months-long homicide investigation.
Poison Searches, Calls To Alleged Girlfriend
Investigators reportedly recovered internet search history showing that Narne had looked up information related to poisons before his wife’s death.
Authorities also examined his phone records and alleged that he made four calls around the time of the incident to a woman in India whom prosecutors described as his girlfriend.
The digital evidence reportedly became a key factor in the decision to file murder charges.
Prosecutors now allege that Sabbineni’s death was not accidental and that Narne intentionally caused her death.
However, authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact cause of death or detailed forensic findings.
Case Draws Attention Among Indian Community
The case has drawn attention within the Indian community in the Pacific Northwest, where the couple had been living while Narne worked as a software development engineer.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Narne could face a lengthy prison sentence under Washington state law.
The case will now proceed in King County Superior Court, beginning with his arraignment.
