NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Tucson, AZ, August 9, 2026 — A 20-year-old Indian national accused of strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend to death in Tucson and fleeing the United States has been arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition to Arizona, authorities said.
Varun Batchigari faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar, who was found dead Thursday, Aug. 6, inside an apartment near the University of Arizona. Tucson police said her body showed signs of trauma, and investigators believe she was strangled.
Batchigari entered the United States on an F-1 student visa after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 8, 2024, according to federal law enforcement sources cited by Fox News. Federal records reportedly showed that he remained in legal immigration status at the time of the killing and that his student visa had not yet been terminated.
Batchigari had previously attended the University of Arizona but had reportedly been expelled following a fight. Investigators said Salazar was planning to end their relationship and had expressed concerns about Batchigari’s alleged history of violence. Court records cited by KOLD also detailed allegations of previous domestic violence and sexual assault.
According to investigators, Batchigari allegedly killed Salazar and then took her cellphone and credit or bank cards. He is accused of using her phone to send messages to her mother while pretending to be Salazar, apparently attempting to conceal what had happened.
Salazar’s family eventually became concerned and requested a welfare check, leading authorities to discover her body.
Investigators allege Batchigari then used one of Salazar’s cards to pay for transportation to Tucson International Airport. He traveled from Tucson to Houston before boarding an international flight to Germany, with authorities saying he was ultimately attempting to return to India.
Tucson police worked with federal authorities to track him overseas. German authorities arrested Batchigari after being alerted by U.S. law enforcement, and he is now being held pending extradition to Pima County, according to Tucson police.
The case has also raised questions about Batchigari’s immigration status. Although he had entered the country legally as an international student, his reported expulsion from the University of Arizona could have affected his eligibility to remain in F-1 status. Fox News, citing federal law enforcement sources, reported that federal records nevertheless continued to show him in legal status and that his student visa had not been terminated before his arrest.
Salazar was 19. Authorities have described the investigation as ongoing.
Batchigari has been charged but has not been convicted, and the allegations against him remain to be proven in court.
