Varun Batchigari faced Tucson assault charge before UA student's murder

For University of Arizona students, faculty and Tucson residents, the death of 19-year-old Julissa “Julie” Salazar has brought grief to campus and renewed concerns about domestic violence in the community. A memorial at the university’s Carranza Healing Garden now includes flowers, a coffee scented candle, coins, a teddy bear and a letter addressed to “Sweet Julie.” Salazar, who was remembered by a friend as friendly, bubbly and dependable, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, 20-year-old Varun Batchigari, in her Tucson apartment.

Batchigari is facing charges of first degree murder and kidnapping and is awaiting extradition to Pima County after being arrested in Berlin, Germany. Tucson police say he fled the United States after Salazar was found dead on Aug. 6, traveling first to Houston and then to Germany. Investigators believe he planned to continue to his native India. The arrest involved the FBI’s Tucson office and the agency’s legal attaché office in Berlin. As of Monday, Aug. 10, Batchigari was not in custody in Pima County, and authorities had not provided a date for his return to Arizona.

According to a felony warrant, Tucson Fire Department crews were called to an apartment near Euclid Avenue and Elm Street at about 4 p.m. Aug. 6 after Salazar’s family requested a welfare check. Crews found her dead on the floor, with a blanket pulled up to her neck. She had marks consistent with strangulation and scratches on her neck, prompting firefighters to contact Tucson police. Authorities allege Batchigari strangled Salazar, then took her cellphone and bank cards. Police say he used one of the cards to obtain transportation to Tucson International Airport.

Investigators also learned that Salazar had been planning to end the relationship and ask Batchigari to leave their home. One roommate told police that Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and was afraid of him because of his history of violent behavior. Another roommate reported hearing loud screaming and yelling from Salazar’s room on Aug. 5. The noise continued for several minutes, stopped briefly and then resumed. Afterward, the roommate heard a woman speaking but could not determine whether anyone else was present. When the roommate texted Salazar to ask whether she was all right, Salazar responded that she was fine and described what happened as an argument.

The case has also drawn attention to Batchigari’s prior contact with the University of Arizona Police Department. Court records show he was facing a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a Tucson incident in May, roughly two months before Salazar’s death. That case was still moving through the court system. News 4 Tucson reported that it had requested additional records from the university police department to learn more about the incident. The warrant also refers to an assault case handled by university police.

The university confirmed that both Salazar and Batchigari had been students, and that Batchigari was expelled on July 22 after a fight, weeks before Salazar was killed. Interviews cited in the warrant describe additional allegations involving domestic violence and sexual assault. One person said Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party but did not report it to law enforcement. Another said he lost his job, creating problems involving his visa and ability to pay rent. These accounts are part of the investigation and have not resulted in separate publicly described charges in the information provided.

A video posted several months ago to a YouTube account that appears to belong to Batchigari identifies him as a U of A business analytics student. In the video, he discusses viewing work as a means to build the life he wants. He also displays an image of a woman who appears to be Salazar and describes her as someone he cared about. Court records indicate that Salazar had told a friend she intended to end the relationship only hours before she was found dead. Police also allege that Batchigari used Salazar’s phone to send messages to her mother, who told investigators the wording did not resemble her daughter’s usual messages.

The university said it has been in contact with Salazar’s family and is offering support and resources to members of the campus community. A GoFundMe campaign is helping pay funeral and memorial expenses and the cost of transporting Salazar’s body from Tucson to Yuma. More than $18,000 had been raised by Aug. 10. At the Carranza Healing Garden, which honors Wildcats who died while attending the university, students have gathered to remember Salazar and to reflect on the danger of abusive relationships. Samantha Reid, a U of A student who did not know Salazar, said the killing was painful because Salazar was a fellow Wildcat who was away from home.

Salazar’s death has also intensified discussion about domestic violence in Pima County. Kendrick Wilson, supervisor of the Pima County Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit, said intimate partner violence did not decline after the increase seen during the COVID period and that local numbers have continued to rise. Sara Moody, the unit’s victim services director, said 85 percent of calls her office receives for service involve domestic violence. She identified isolation, jealousy, controlling social relationships, financial coercion, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse as warning signs. Wilson emphasized that strangulation and threats involving weapons are especially serious risk indicators. In May, the county approved additional funding for victim services, which Moody said is supporting stronger partnerships with domestic abuse awareness organizations and may help advance court protections for victims.