Man accused in Tucson girlfriend's killing flees to Germany

Residents near the University of Arizona are facing the aftermath of a homicide investigation that crossed international borders after a 19-year-old Tucson woman was found dead in her apartment. Tucson police say her boyfriend, 20-year-old Varun Batchigari, was arrested in Munich, Germany, after allegedly leaving the country and attempting to continue to India. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona, where he is expected to be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.

Julissa Rubi Salazar, known to family and friends as Julie, was found dead Aug. 6 at an apartment complex in central Tucson. Police and fire officials gave slightly different location descriptions, identifying the complex as being near Tyndall Avenue and Adams Street, or near North Tyndall Avenue and East Chauncey Lane. The apartment was only minutes from the University of Arizona campus. Authorities have not said whether Salazar or Batchigari were enrolled at the university, although a video posted by Batchigari identified him as a UA business analytics student.

Family members requested a welfare check, and Tucson firefighters arrived at about 4 p.m. to a call initially described as involving an unresponsive person or possible cardiac arrest. Responders found Salazar dead inside the apartment, with visible signs of trauma. A felony warrant described strangulation marks and scratches on her neck. Firefighters contacted Tucson police, bringing homicide detectives, officers and crime scene personnel to the apartment. Investigators processed the scene, conducted interviews and examined forensic evidence before identifying Batchigari as the suspect.

According to information described in court documents, Salazar had been planning to end her relationship with Batchigari and had intended to ask him to leave the home. One roommate told investigators that Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and that the roommate feared him because of what she described as a history of violence. Another roommate reported hearing loud screaming and yelling from Salazar’s room on Aug. 5. The sounds continued for several minutes, followed by silence and then another brief outburst. Afterward, the roommate heard a woman’s voice and texted Salazar, who replied that she was fine and that the noise had been an argument.

The warrant also alleges that Batchigari strangled Salazar, took her cellphone and bank cards, and used one of the cards to obtain transportation to Tucson International Airport. Police say he boarded a flight to Houston before taking another flight to Germany. His reported plan was to travel onward to India, his home country, but German authorities took him into custody after he arrived in Munich. The arrest occurred before he could continue that trip.

The international search required cooperation among Tucson police, the FBI’s Tucson office, the FBI legal attaché office in Berlin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service and Munich police. Tucson police credited those agencies with helping locate Batchigari and coordinate his arrest. Although the arrest has been made, investigators say the homicide case remains active. Batchigari was not yet in Pima County custody as of Aug. 10, and an extradition process must take place before he can be returned to Arizona.

Batchigari is accused of first-degree murder and kidnapping. The allegations outlined in the warrant include a broader history of violence. Court documents say he had been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department and was expelled from the school after a fight. People interviewed by investigators also described allegations of sexual assault, including one incident at a Halloween party that was not reported to law enforcement. The documents further say he had lost his job, creating problems involving his visa and rent. These claims have not been resolved in court.

Investigators also learned that someone allegedly used Salazar’s phone to send text messages to her mother after her death. Her mother told investigators the messages did not resemble the way her daughter normally communicated. The details have added to the family’s uncertainty and grief as they wait for Salazar’s remains to be returned to Yuma. A GoFundMe fundraiser is seeking money for funeral and memorial costs, transportation from Tucson, counseling and emotional support for relatives, and assistance for Salazar’s two younger sisters. As of Aug. 10, the fundraiser had collected more than $18,000. Organizers described Salazar as a beloved daughter, sister and friend whose life ended while she was away at college in Tucson, and asked people who cannot donate to share the appeal.

Salazar’s death also comes as Tucson police have released updated homicide figures. The department reported 25 homicides year to date in 2026, compared with 35 at the same point in 2025, a decrease of 10 killings. Those figures provide broader context, but for the people living near the apartment, the case has focused attention on warning signs of relationship violence, the safety of students and roommates, and the support available to a family dealing with an unexpected death. The murder investigation and efforts to return Batchigari to Pima County remain ongoing.