Indian student arrested in Germany over alleged murder of girlfriend in Arizona

Highlights:

• Varun Batchigari, 20, is accused of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
• Police say he left Arizona after his girlfriend was allegedly killed.
• He was arrested in Germany before he could continue to India.
• Investigators say messages were sent to the victim’s mother from her phone.
• Batchigari is awaiting extradition to Arizona.

Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian student who was studying business analytics at the University of Arizona, has been arrested in Germany in connection with the alleged murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar.

According to the Tucson Police Department, Salazar was killed on August 6 at an apartment in Tucson, Arizona. Investigators say Batchigari later traveled to Tucson International Airport and boarded a flight to Germany, intending to continue his journey to India.

Police obtained an arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

The case came to light after Salazar’s family became concerned about messages they received from her phone. Investigators allege that Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards following the killing and sent several text messages to her mother while pretending to be Salazar.

The messages reportedly raised suspicions among family members, who requested a welfare check.

Police tracked suspect to Germany

The welfare check led officers to Salazar’s apartment, where she was found dead.

The Tucson Fire Department had responded to the apartment at around 4 p.m. on August 6 following a report of a cardiac arrest. Emergency crews found Salazar on the floor with a blanket pulled up to her neck.

According to local reports, firefighters noticed marks consistent with strangulation and scratches on her neck. They then contacted Tucson police.

After investigators identified Batchigari as a suspect, detectives obtained a warrant and coordinated with federal authorities to track his movements.

“Through close coordination between TPD, the FBI Tucson Office, and the FBI Legal Attache Office in Berlin, Batchigari was taken into custody upon his arrival in Germany, preventing him from continuing his travel,” Tucson Police said in a statement.

The arrest prevented Batchigari from continuing his journey to India.

He is now awaiting extradition to Arizona, where authorities say he will be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex under the charges listed in the warrant.

Warrant details prior relationship problems

The investigation has also brought attention to allegations about Batchigari’s previous conduct and his relationship with Salazar.

The arrest warrant, obtained by KOLD-TV, reportedly states that Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department.

Investigators also spoke with witnesses who described problems between Batchigari and Salazar. According to the warrant, Salazar moved out after experiencing difficulties with him in late 2025 and had planned to end the relationship because of an alleged history of domestic violence.

The warrant contains additional allegations from witnesses concerning previous violent behavior. One witness told investigators that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, although she said she did not report the allegation to police at the time.

Federal records reviewed by Fox News reportedly indicate that Batchigari was still in lawful immigration status when the alleged murder occurred, despite reports that he had been expelled from the University of Arizona.

The allegations against Batchigari have not been proven in court. His extradition to Arizona is expected to begin the next stage of the criminal case.