The Tucson murder case involving 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar has led to the arrest of Indian national Varun Batchigari in Germany. He faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in Arizona and is being held pending extradition to Pima County.
A 20-year-old Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, has been arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition to Arizona. Varun Batchigari faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar.
Julissa Salazar found dead in Tucson
Salazar was found dead on August 6, 2026, inside an apartment near the University of Arizona after her family requested a welfare check. Tucson police said she showed signs of trauma, while a felony warrant cited by local media described injuries consistent with strangulation.
Investigators allege Salazar had planned to end her relationship with Batchigari and was afraid of him because of alleged prior violent behavior. Records and witness accounts cited by news organizations also contained earlier allegations involving domestic violence and sexual assault. Batchigari has not been convicted, and the allegations must be proven in court.
Police allege attempt to conceal death
Investigators say Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and bank cards after the killing. He allegedly used her phone to send messages to her mother while posing as Salazar. The messages concerned her family, prompting the welfare check that led authorities to discover her body.
Germany arrest and Arizona extradition
Police allege Batchigari used one of Salazar’s cards to arrange transportation to Tucson International Airport. He traveled through Houston and boarded a flight to Germany, where authorities say he intended to continue to India.
Tucson police said the FBI Tucson Office and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin helped coordinate his arrest after he arrived in Germany. He remains in custody pending extradition to Pima County, Arizona.
F-1 visa status draws attention
Federal law-enforcement sources said Batchigari entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport on January 8, 2024, on an F-1 student visa. He previously attended the University of Arizona and was reportedly expelled following a fight. Federal records reviewed by Fox News indicated he remained in lawful immigration status at the time of the alleged killing.
The investigation remains active. The next major development will be the extradition process and Batchigari’s return to Arizona, where he is expected to face the pending criminal charges.
