Burlington man now faces murder charge for attack on wife

A Burlington man, who police say savagely attacked his wife with a heavy-duty flashlight, is now facing a second-degree murder charge after she died at the UVM Medical Center.

Bal Khadka, 44, pummeled his wife unconscious in front of three children over the weekend, police had said. At least two were believed to be her children and a third was visiting.

Investigators were told that the victim died at 7:09 p.m. Sunday, Deputy Police Chief Richard Weinisch said in a news release Monday.

The name of the victim, which is public record, still has not been released by Burlington Police.

Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke told Vermont News First on Monday the woman’s name was being withheld because it was a domestic violence case.

Weinisch said a new affidavit of probable cause to charge Khadka with second-degree murder in criminal court has been drafted by city police.

Detective Erica Schaller, the lead investigator, was working the Columbus Day holiday weekend on the case, police said.    

Khadka  is still due for arraignment in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington on Tuesday for the murder charge.

Police said little is known about Khadka, how long he lived in the area, or if her had a job.

Burke said officers are precluded from asking some questions due to a state policy entitled Fair and Impartial Policing.

Burlington Police said patrol officers responded to an apartment at 234 South Champlain Street about 5:48 a.m. Saturday after receiving multiple 911 calls.

Some calls reported a fight in progress and others requested an ambulance. 

Officers found an unresponsive woman lying in bed, with substantial injuries to her head, Burke reported on Sunday.

After further investigation it was determined Khadka had reportedly bludgeoned his spouse with a large flashlight while in the presence of three juveniles, Burke said.

An ambulance with the Burlington Fire Department transported the victim to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition, Burke said Sunday.

A judge ordered Khadka held without bail at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans pending arraignment.

The investigation remains active and has been transferred to BPD’s Detective Services Bureau for follow-up.