NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Bellevue, WA, July 7, 2026 — A 30-year-old Bellevue man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, nearly eight months after she was found dead inside the couple’s apartment, in a case prosecutors say was carefully staged to appear as though someone else was responsible.
Avinash Narne was formally charged this week in the October 2025 killing of his wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, who was found dead in the bathroom of their Bellevue home on October 27, 2025. Bail has been set at $5 million.
According to charging documents, Bellevue police responded to the couple’s apartment after Narne called 911 to report that his wife was unresponsive. Officers found Sabbineni inside a locked bathroom. Narne initially told investigators that he had been out running errands and that his wife had been feeling ill. He reportedly suggested she may have consumed cough syrup before her death.
However, an autopsy determined that Sabbineni died from manual strangulation, contradicting Narne’s account.
Prosecutors allege that Narne intentionally killed his wife and then staged the scene to make it appear that an unknown intruder had entered the apartment. Investigators say electronic security records showed no evidence that anyone else entered the residence during the relevant time period, leaving Narne as the only other person believed to have been inside.
The case remained under investigation for months as detectives gathered forensic and digital evidence. On June 27, investigators asked Narne to return for a follow-up interview. He was arrested afterward, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a charge of first-degree murder this week.
Charging documents also cite internet searches related to poisons and phone records showing that Narne allegedly made four calls around the time of his wife’s death to a woman in India whom investigators describe as his girlfriend. Prosecutors have not publicly detailed a motive but appear to view the alleged relationship as part of the case.
Authorities have not disclosed whether there had been any prior reports of domestic violence involving the couple.
According to local media reports, Narne and Sabbineni had been married only a few months through an arranged marriage before moving into their Bellevue home.
During a court appearance, prosecutors argued that Narne poses a significant flight risk because of his ties to India and the seriousness of the charge. A judge set bail at $5 million.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Narne could face life in prison.
The investigation remains ongoing. Narne is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
