Indian Student Accused Of Girlfriend’s Murder Arrested In Germany While Fleeing To India

A 20-year-old Indian student accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in the US was arrested in Germany while allegedly attempting to travel onwards to India, according to the Tucson Police Department.

Varun Batchigari, a business analytics student at the University of Arizona, is accused of murdering Julissa Rubi Salazar at her Tucson apartment on August 6. He is facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Police Say Student Tried To Leave US After Killing

According to police, Batchigari travelled to Tucson International Airport after the alleged killing and boarded a flight to Germany, from where he planned to continue to India.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant before coordinating with the FBI's Tucson office and its Legal Attaché Office in Berlin. Batchigari was arrested after arriving in Germany, preventing him from continuing his journey to India.

He is currently awaiting extradition to Arizona, where he is expected to be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.

Girlfriend Found Dead In Apartment

Police became involved after Salazar's family grew concerned over a series of messages allegedly sent from her phone.

Investigators allege that Batchigari took Salazar's mobile phone and credit cards after the killing and sent text messages to her mother while pretending to be Salazar.

The messages reportedly raised suspicion, prompting a welfare check at her apartment. Officers subsequently found Salazar dead.

Local reports said emergency crews had initially responded to a call about a cardiac arrest. Salazar was found lying on the floor with a blanket pulled up to her neck. Investigators subsequently noted strangulation marks and scratches on her neck.

Warrant Cites Earlier Allegations Of Violence

The arrest warrant reportedly contains allegations of previous violent behaviour involving Batchigari.

Investigators were told that Salazar had moved out after experiencing problems with him and had planned to end their relationship. Witnesses also described alleged incidents of domestic violence.

Batchigari had reportedly been facing an earlier assault case in Pima County, while another witness allegedly told investigators about an incident involving sexual assault that she said she had not reported to police.

Student Awaits Extradition

US authorities are now working to have Batchigari extradited from Germany to Arizona to face the murder and kidnapping charges.

The allegations against him have not been tested in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.