Indian Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Flees US, Arrested In Germany Before Flight To India
News world Indian Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Flees US, Arrested In Germany Before Flight To India Indian Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Flees US
News world Indian Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Flees US, Arrested In Germany Before Flight To India Indian Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Flees US, Arrested In Germany Before Flight To India Published By, Last Updated: August 09, 2026, 23:28 IST From Tucson, Batchigari allegedly flew to Houston before boarding a flight to Germany. He had planned to travel onwards to India, but was arrested after arriving in Germany. Indian national Varun Batchigari, accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona, was arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) An Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, was arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the US and travelling to Europe, police said. Varun Batchigari, 20, is in custody in Germany and awaiting extradition to Pima County, the Tucson Police Department said, according to KOLD. He faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar. Police said Batchigari allegedly fled Tucson after Salazar was found dead in her apartment on August 6. He allegedly took her cellphone and bank cards after strangling her and used one of the cards to pay for a ride to Tucson International Airport.
From Tucson, Batchigari allegedly flew to Houston before boarding a flight to Germany. He had planned to travel onwards to India, according to police, but was arrested after arriving in Germany. The arrest was made with the help of the FBI’s Tucson office and its Legal Attaché Office in Berlin, police said. What Happened To Julissa Salazar? Tucson Fire Department crews were called to Salazar’s apartment around 4 pm on August 6 after her family requested a welfare check, according to a felony warrant cited by KOLD. Salazar was found dead on the floor, with a blanket pulled up to her neck. Firefighters noticed marks consistent with strangulation and scratches on her neck and alerted Tucson police. Investigators later spoke to Salazar’s roommates and friends, who said she had been planning to end her relationship with Batchigari. One roommate told investigators that Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and was afraid of him because of his alleged history of violent behaviour. Another roommate told investigators she heard loud screaming and yelling coming from Salazar’s room on August 5.
The disturbance lasted several minutes, followed by a period of silence and then another brief outburst. The roommate said she later heard a woman’s voice but could not determine whether anyone else was present. She texted Salazar to check if she was okay and received a response saying she was fine and that it had only been an argument. Batchigari’s Troubled History According to the warrant, Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department. A friend of Salazar told investigators that she had moved in with her after she began experiencing problems with Batchigari in late 2025. Another person interviewed by investigators alleged that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, although the incident was not reported to police. Investigators were also told that Batchigari had been expelled from the University of Arizona following a fight. According to the accounts cited in the warrant, he subsequently lost his job, creating problems related to his visa and rent. Police also allege that Batchigari used Salazar’s cellphone to send messages to her mother after her death.
The BriefWire