Indian national arrested in Germany, charged with murder of Arizona girlfriend

A 19-year-old University of Arizona student was found dead in her off-campus apartment near the university, and the man Tucson police say killed her was arrested in Germany after leaving the country. The case has deeply affected the campus community and Salazar’s family, while raising urgent questions about prior warnings of violence, the couple’s deteriorating relationship and how the suspect was able to travel internationally after the killing.

Varun Batchigari, 20, is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Julissa “Julie” Rubi Salazar. Tucson police said Salazar’s relatives requested a welfare check on Aug. 6 after they could not reach her. Tucson Fire Department crews went to the apartment near Euclid Avenue and Elm Street at about 4 p.m., responding initially to a report of cardiac arrest. They found Salazar dead on the floor, with a blanket pulled up toward her neck. Firefighters observed signs of trauma and contacted police.

The felony warrant alleges that Salazar had strangulation marks and scratches on her neck. Investigators believe Batchigari killed her by strangling her, then took her cellphone and bank cards. Police say he used one of the cards to pay for transportation to Tucson International Airport. From Tucson, authorities said, he traveled to Houston and then boarded a flight headed for Germany, with plans to continue to India, his home country. He was arrested when he arrived in Germany after U.S. authorities alerted German officials. The FBI’s Tucson office and its legal attaché office in Berlin helped coordinate the arrest.

Batchigari was not in Pima County custody as of Monday, Aug. 10, because he was still awaiting extradition to Arizona. The FBI is working to have him returned to Tucson to face the state charges. The arrest warrant also alleges that Batchigari tried to make it appear Salazar was alive after her death by using her phone to send text messages to her mother. Salazar’s mother told investigators that the messages did not resemble the way her daughter normally communicated, adding to the family’s concern and prompting the welfare check.

Investigators say the killing followed months of conflict and escalating concerns about Batchigari’s behavior. A roommate told police that Salazar had planned to end the relationship and ask Batchigari to leave their home. The roommate also said Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and was frightened because of his reported history of violence. Another roommate told investigators that loud screaming and yelling came from Salazar’s room on Aug. 5. The noise continued for several minutes, stopped briefly and then erupted again. Afterward, the roommate heard a woman speaking and texted Salazar to ask whether she was safe. The response said she was fine and that the incident had only been an argument.

The warrant includes other allegations involving Batchigari. One person told investigators that he sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, although she did not report that allegation to police at the time. Records and witness accounts also indicate that he had previously been involved in an assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department. Witnesses said Salazar moved in with others after having problems with Batchigari in late 2025. Another person said Batchigari was expelled from the university after a fight. That witness also described additional instability after Batchigari lost his job, including financial difficulties, trouble paying rent and concerns connected to his student visa.

The university confirmed that both Salazar and Batchigari had been students, but said Batchigari was expelled on July 22. University officials did not disclose the reason for the expulsion. A video posted to YouTube by Batchigari described him as a business analytics student. Federal law enforcement information reported by Fox News said he entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 8, 2024, using an F-1 student visa. Federal records reportedly showed that he remained in lawful immigration status when the killing occurred, although international students generally must remain enrolled to maintain that status. The available information did not explain why his status had not changed after his expulsion.

The University of Arizona has offered condolences to Salazar’s family, friends and others who knew her, and said it has been in contact with her relatives. The school is providing support and other resources to members of the campus community affected by her death. Salazar’s family is also receiving financial help through a GoFundMe campaign, which is intended to cover funeral and memorial costs and the expense of transporting her body from Tucson to Yuma. The campaign had raised more than $18,000 by Monday, Aug. 10, according to local reporting.

The case remains an accusation, and Batchigari will have to be returned to Arizona before proceedings on the state charges can continue in Pima County. Tucson police have not publicly described every injury found on Salazar, but the warrant and emergency responders’ observations led authorities to treat the death as a homicide. For Tucson residents, particularly students and families connected to the university, the investigation has brought grief close to home while highlighting the importance of responding to reports of domestic violence, threats and escalating abuse.