A 20-year-old Indian national has been arrested in Germany and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, a University of Arizona student. German authorities took Varun Batchigari into custody on August 8 upon his arrival from the United States, following a felony warrant issued by U.S. authorities. He is now awaiting extradition to Arizona to face charges.
Batchigari is accused of strangling Salazar in her Tucson apartment on August 6, according to the Tucson Police Department. Salazar’s family had requested a welfare check after being unable to reach her, leading officers and firefighters to her residence. She was found unresponsive on the floor with signs of trauma, including marks and scratches around her neck, prompting police to treat the death as a suspected homicide.
Key Developments in the Case
German authorities, with assistance from U.S. and German law enforcement, arrested Batchigari upon his arrival in the country. He was taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, according to the Tucson Police Department. Batchigari had allegedly fled the U.S. shortly after Salazar’s death, boarding a flight from Tucson International Airport to Germany via Houston, with a final destination of India.
The FBI and German authorities coordinated the arrest, which followed an international alert issued after Batchigari’s departure from the U.S. He is now awaiting extradition to Arizona to face trial.
Background: Relationship History and Prior Allegations
Investigators have described the relationship between Batchigari and Salazar as deteriorating in the months leading up to her death. According to a felony warrant cited by multiple sources, Salazar had planned to end the relationship due to concerns about Batchigari’s history of violent behavior.
A roommate told investigators that Salazar had been sexually assaulted by Batchigari in the past and feared him. Another roommate reported hearing loud screaming and yelling from Salazar’s room on August 5, the day before her death. After the disturbance, Salazar texted her roommate, stating it was “just an argument.”
Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department, as well as an open criminal case in Pima County involving allegations of assault and knowingly causing injury.
Investigative Details: Alleged Cover-Up and Flight
Federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that Batchigari stole Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards after her death. He then sent a series of text messages to Salazar’s mother, posing as the victim in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime. The messages raised concern among Salazar’s family, prompting the welfare check that led to the discovery of her body.
Batchigari entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa on January 8, 2024, via Los Angeles International Airport, according to federal sources. After the alleged killing, he boarded a flight from Houston to India, with a layover in Germany, where he was arrested.
The felony warrant outlines a pattern of escalating violence and personal troubles in the months preceding Salazar’s death, including Salazar’s decision to move out due to the alleged abuse.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Batchigari remains in German custody as U.S. authorities work to secure his extradition. The Tucson Police Department and Pima County Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation, with support from the FBI and German authorities.
The case has drawn attention to issues of international fugitive tracking and cross-border law enforcement cooperation. If extradited, Batchigari will face first-degree murder charges in Arizona, where he could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole upon conviction.