An Indian student accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona has been arrested in Germany after allegedly attempting to flee to India, according to the FBI and the Tucson Police Department.
Varun Batchigari, 20, was detained upon arriving in Germany following a coordinated effort involving the Tucson Police Department, the FBI Tucson Office, and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin. Authorities say he is expected to be extradited to Arizona, where he faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar, 19.
The arrest marks the latest development in a homicide investigation that began after Salazar was found dead during a welfare check at her Tucson apartment.
What happened in the Arizona homicide case?
According to the Tucson Police Department, the investigation began on August 6 at approximately 4 p.m., when firefighters responded to an apartment at 1701 N. Tyndall Avenue after family members requested a welfare check.
Emergency responders discovered Salazar deceased inside the apartment. Medics observed signs of trauma and requested assistance from Tucson police.
Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators processed the apartment, interviewed witnesses, and collected forensic evidence to determine what had happened.
Investigators ultimately identified Batchigari, Salazar’s boyfriend, as the primary suspect.
Why was Varun Batchigari arrested in Germany?
Police say detectives learned that Batchigari had traveled to Tucson International Airport on the same day Salazar’s body was discovered.
According to investigators, he boarded a flight to Germany and allegedly planned to continue onward to India.
Before he left Arizona, detectives had already obtained an arrest warrant charging him with:
- First-degree murder
- Kidnapping
Authorities then worked with the FBI and international law enforcement partners to locate him before he could leave Germany.
The FBI confirmed that Batchigari was taken into custody immediately after arriving in the country.
FBI says multiple agencies coordinated the arrest
In a statement, the FBI said the arrest resulted from cooperation among several agencies.
The operation involved:
- Tucson Police Department
- FBI Tucson Office
- FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin
Officials said the coordinated effort prevented Batchigari from continuing his alleged journey toward India.
The Tucson Police Department thanked the FBI for its assistance, saying the agencies’ coordination was instrumental in locating and apprehending the suspect.
What charges does Batchigari face?
Authorities have charged Batchigari with:
- First-degree murder
- Kidnapping
These are allegations, and Batchigari remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Police have not publicly released additional details regarding the circumstances of Salazar’s death or disclosed a possible motive.
What happens next?
Batchigari is currently awaiting extradition to Arizona.
Once returned to the United States, authorities say he will be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex, where he will face the outstanding charges.
The extradition process will be carried out under applicable international legal procedures between Germany and the United States.
What investigators have said so far
According to investigators:
- Salazar was found dead during a welfare check requested by family members.
- Medics observed signs of trauma before police launched a homicide investigation.
- Detectives identified Batchigari as the suspect after reviewing interviews and forensic evidence.
- Authorities allege he left Arizona shortly after the incident and flew to Germany.
- He was arrested before he could allegedly continue to India.
Police have not yet released further information regarding the evidence supporting the charges.
Investigation remains ongoing
The homicide investigation remains active, and authorities may release additional details as court proceedings move forward.
For now, Batchigari remains in custody in Germany pending extradition to Arizona, where he is expected to face prosecution on the first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.
