Indian national arrested at Germany airport over American girlfriend's murder
PTC News Desk: A 20-year-old Indian national, Varun Batchigari, has been arrested in Germany for allegedly killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Arizona and then fleeing the United States.
Salazar, a college student, was found unresponsive with signs of trauma inside her apartment near the University of Arizona in Tucson on Thursday. Police arrived around 4 pm after her family requested a welfare check when they became concerned about her. She was later declared dead.
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Investigators identified Batchigari, Salazar's boyfriend, as the main suspect in the case. According to reports, detectives believe he strangled Salazar, took her phone and credit cards, and sent messages to her mother while allegedly trying to conceal what had happened.
Suspect Flees US, Arrested in Germany
Police began searching for Batchigari after discovering that he had left Tucson. Investigators say he travelled from Tucson International Airport to Houston before boarding a flight to Berlin, Germany. Authorities believe he may have been trying to return to India.
An arrest warrant was issued as investigators tracked his movements. Arizona authorities, working with federal agencies, located and detained him after he arrived in Germany.
Batchigari is expected to be extradited to Arizona, where he will face a first-degree murder charge and be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
Girlfriend Was Reportedly Planning to End Relationship
The investigation has also brought attention to allegations of abuse in the couple's relationship. Reports say Salazar had been planning to break up with Batchigari after allegedly experiencing sexual assault and abusive behaviour.
Her roommates reportedly became worried several days before her death after hearing loud screaming from her room on August 5. They contacted Salazar to check on her and were reportedly told that she was safe and that the incident had only been an argument.
Batchigari had been studying business analytics at the University of Arizona but was reportedly expelled after being involved in a fight. He was also allegedly facing previous domestic violence accusations.
Reports further state that Batchigari had recently lost his job, leaving him struggling to pay rent and potentially putting his immigration status in the US at risk. Authorities have not confirmed whether these circumstances were connected to Salazar's death or his alleged decision to flee the country.
- With inputs from agencies
