Who Is Avinash Narne, Indian Techie Arrested for Killing His Wife in the US?

In a major breakthrough following a months-long investigation, authorities in Washington State have arrested and charged 30-year-old Avinash Narne, an Indian software engineer, with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife. Prosecutors allege that Narne intentionally strangled 27-year-old Raajitha Sabbineni inside their Bellevue apartment on October 27, 2025, and subsequently staged the scene to appear as an accidental collapse. Narne, who remained free for nearly eight months while forensic and digital investigations were underway, was taken into custody on June 27, 2026, and is being held at King County Jail on a $5 million bail.

Who Is Avinash Narne?

Avinash Narne is a 30-year-old software development engineer originally from Telangana, India. He had been residing in the United States, where he was employed by tech giant Amazon. According to court documents, Narne and Raajitha Sabbineni entered into an arranged marriage in India on June 5, 2025. The couple moved into an apartment at the Woodland Commons complex in downtown Bellevue shortly after, in July 2025. Records indicate they had been living together for less than four months at the time of Sabbineni's death. 'Divorce Notice Triggered Murder': Techie Balamurugan Shoots Dead Wife, Union Bank Manager, in Bengaluru’s Magadi Road.

The Night of the Incident and Staged Crime Scene

On the night of October 27, 2025, Narne contacted emergency services to report that his wife had locked herself inside their bathroom and was unresponsive. Responding officers from the Bellevue Police Department forced entry into the bathroom and discovered Sabbineni lying on the floor. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially, Narne told investigators that his wife had been feeling unwell and suggested she might have collapsed after consuming cough syrup. He claimed he had left the apartment for approximately 40 minutes to run errands and returned to find the bathroom door locked.

Digital Evidence Dispels Intruder Theory

The King County Medical Examiner's Office officially ruled Sabbineni’s death a homicide after an autopsy determined the cause of death to be asphyxia resulting from strangulation. Following this determination, Bellevue detectives initiated a detailed forensic review of digital and physical evidence. 'Divorce Notice Triggered Murder': Techie Balamurugan Shoots Dead Wife, Union Bank Manager, in Bengaluru’s Magadi Road.

Key evidence derived from the apartment's smart-lock and front-door security systems systematically disproved the defense's initial timeline. While data logs verified that Narne had briefly stepped out of the residence, they confirmed that no other individual had entered or exited the apartment during his absence, effectively eliminating the possibility of an outside intruder.

Uncovering a Secret Relationship and Motive

As the investigation expanded into Narne’s personal communications, prosecutors uncovered what they describe as a primary motive for the premeditated crime. Court filings reveal that Narne maintained a long-term "secret relationship" with another woman residing in India.

The relationship reportedly began before his marriage to Sabbineni, and the woman had even attended the couple's wedding ceremony in June 2025. Phone logs indicate that Narne remained in constant communication with her after moving back to the U.S. Notably, he placed four calls to her on the day of his wife's death—including during the specific window he claimed he was locked out of the bathroom. Charging documents further allege that Narne acknowledged sending a photograph of his wife's dead body to the woman the following day.

Message History Points to Past Attempts

The prosecution's case is further supported by historical text messages recovered from the victim’s phone. In the weeks leading up to her death, Sabbineni had repeatedly complained to family and friends that drinks prepared by her husband tasted unusually bitter.

On the day she died, she explicitly messaged Narne stating that a smoothie he had made for her tasted like “medicine” and “cough syrup.” Subsequent forensic reviews of Narne's personal electronic devices revealed internet search queries related to various poisons.

Current Legal Status and Next Steps

Following his arrest on June 27, 2026, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office officially filed one count of first-degree murder on July 1. At his subsequent court appearance, Narne entered a plea of not guilty. Citing the gravity of the premeditated charges, potential risk of future violence, and a severe flight risk, the court maintained his bail at $5 million. Under Washington State law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 09:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).