Tucson (Rajeev Sharma): An Indian student accused of killing his American girlfriend in Arizona was arrested in Germany after investigators moved quickly to stop him from continuing his journey to India, authorities said.
Varun Batchigari, 20, a business analytics student at the University of Arizona, is facing allegations in connection with the death of 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar, who was found dead at her Tucson apartment on August 6.
According to the Tucson Police Department, Batchigari left Tucson International Airport after the alleged killing and boarded a flight to Germany. He was reportedly planning to travel onwards to India.
By the time he reached Germany, however, investigators had secured an arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
FBI coordination leads to arrest
The Tucson Police Department said the arrest followed coordination between its detectives, the FBI’s Tucson office and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin.
Authorities said the joint effort resulted in Batchigari being taken into custody after he arrived in Germany, preventing him from continuing his journey.
He is now awaiting extradition to Arizona, where he is expected to face the charges issued against him.
Messages sent from victim’s phone raised alarm
Investigators believe Batchigari took Salazar’s phone and credit cards following the alleged killing.
Police also suspect that messages were subsequently sent to Salazar’s mother from the victim’s phone while someone attempted to make it appear that she was still alive. The messages reportedly concerned her family, who contacted authorities and requested a welfare check.
Officers later found Salazar inside her apartment.
Emergency responders had initially gone to the property following a report of a possible cardiac arrest. However, according to local reports, responders noticed injuries around Salazar’s neck, including marks and scratches, and police were called to the scene.
The circumstances surrounding her death subsequently led investigators to treat the case as a homicide.
Earlier relationship concerns examined
As detectives worked on the case, they also looked into allegations concerning Batchigari’s previous conduct.
The arrest warrant reportedly refers to an earlier assault investigation involving him that was handled by the University of Arizona Police Department.
People interviewed by investigators also described difficulties between Batchigari and Salazar. According to the warrant, witnesses said Salazar had moved out in late 2025 and was considering ending the relationship.
Investigators have also recorded allegations of previous violence, including an accusation by one witness who said she was sexually assaulted by Batchigari at a Halloween party. The witness reportedly did not make a police complaint at the time.
Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Extradition to Arizona awaited
Batchigari remains in Germany as authorities work through the extradition process. Once returned to the United States, he is expected to be booked at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.
The case is continuing to be investigated by US authorities, with the alleged killing, Batchigari’s movements after Salazar’s death and the circumstances surrounding their relationship forming key parts of the investigation.
