A 20-year-old Indian national has been arrested in Germany after allegedly strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona before fleeing the US. According to US media reports, Varun Batchigari is suspected of first-degree murder in connection with the death of college student Julissa Rubi Salazar, who was found dead inside her apartment near the University of Arizona in Tucson on Thursday.
Police said Salazar’s family requested a welfare check after becoming concerned about her wellbeing. Officers who arrived at the apartment at around 4 pm local time found the teenager unresponsive and showing signs of trauma, according to the Tucson Police Department.
Investigators later identified Batchigari, Salazar’s boyfriend, as the main suspect. According to KOLD, detectives believe he took Salazar’s phone and credit cards and sent multiple messages to her mother.
POLICE TRACE SUSPECT TO GERMANY
The search for Batchigari began after authorities discovered that he had left Tucson. He travelled to Tucson International Airport and boarded a flight to Houston before taking another flight to Berlin, Germany. Authorities believe he intended to eventually return to India.
An arrest warrant was issued as investigators traced his movements. The Tucson Police Department said Arizona authorities worked with federal agencies to locate and detain Batchigari after he reached Germany.
He is expected to be extradited to Arizona, where he will face a first-degree murder charge and be booked at the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
GIRLFRIEND PLANNED TO END RELATIONSHIP
The case has also brought attention to Batchigari’s relationship with Salazar and allegations of abuse involving the couple. According to KOLD, Salazar had been planning to end the relationship after allegedly experiencing sexual assault and abusive behaviour.
Her roommates reportedly became concerned several days before her death after hearing loud screams coming from Salazar’s room on August 5. They later contacted her to check on her safety and received a response saying she was fine and that the incident had only been an argument.
Investigators are also examining allegations related to Batchigari’s previous conduct. According to records cited by The New York Post, he had an ongoing criminal case in Pima County Court involving an allegation of assault, specifically knowingly causing injury, filed on May 26.
Another woman reportedly told investigators that Batchigari had sexually assaulted her on Halloween, although she did not report the alleged incident at the time.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT WITH TROUBLED RECORD
Batchigari had been studying business analytics at the University of Arizona. However, his time at the institution reportedly ended after he was expelled following a fight. Reports also indicate that he had previously faced allegations of domestic violence.
The case has prompted further scrutiny of Batchigari’s circumstances in the period leading up to Salazar’s death. He had recently lost his job, which reportedly affected his ability to pay rent and placed his immigration status under pressure.
Authorities have not indicated whether these circumstances contributed to the alleged killing or influenced his decision to leave the United States.
