An Indian national is accused of killing his girlfriend, who had reportedly been planning to end their relationship because of his alleged history of domestic violence, before authorities intercepted him in Europe as he attempted to return to India.
Varun Batchigari is suspected of first-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old college student Julissa Rubi Salazar, who authorities say was strangled Thursday inside her apartment near the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Tucson police said officers found Salazar dead with visible signs of trauma around 4 p.m. after her family requested a welfare check and authorities responded to a report of an unresponsive person.
Investigators soon identified Batchigari, Salazar’s boyfriend, as the primary suspect after he allegedly took her phone and credit cards and sent several messages to her mother that alarmed the family, KOLD reported.
Authorities later determined that the suspect had fled to Tucson International Airport, boarded a flight to Houston and then connected to an international flight bound for Berlin, Germany, officials said.
The 20-year-old was believed to be trying to make his way back to his home country of India.
After an arrest warrant was issued for Batchigari, Arizona authorities coordinated with federal agents to have him detained upon his arrival in Germany, according to Tucson police.
Salazar had reportedly intended to break up with Batchigari following an alleged prior sexual assault, according to the outlet.
Her roommates allegedly heard loud screaming coming from her room that lasted for several minutes on Aug. 5, days before Salazar was found dead, KOLD reported.
The concerned roommates texted the teen afterwards asking if she was alright, only to receive a message saying she was fine and it was just an argument.
Batchigari had been attending the nearby University of Arizona, where he was studying business analytics, before he was expelled for a fight, the outlet reported.
He also had a history of domestic violence and had an open criminal case against him for assault – knowingly causing injury filed in Pima County Court on May 26, according to records viewed by The Post.
One woman interviewed by investigators claimed Batchigari had sexually assaulted her on Halloween, but she didn’t report the incident.
Batchigari had also recently lost his job, losing his ability to pay rent and putting his visa status in jeopardy.
Batchigari will be extradited to Arizona, where he will be booked into Pima County Adult Detention on his first-degree murder charge.
Salazar was remembered as a beloved daughter and sister who was enjoying life away from home studying at college.’
“No parent should ever have to experience the heartbreak of losing a child, and Julie’s parents are now facing a loss that no family could ever be prepared for,” a GoFundMe set up for Salazar’s family read. “She leaves behind her parents and two younger sisters who love and miss her more than words can express.”
