Indian student arrested in Germany over murder of girlfriend in Arizona
A 20-year-old Indian student accused of murdering his girlfriend in the United States has been arrested in Germany before he could board a connecting flight to India. Varun Batchigari, a business analytics student at the University of Arizona, was taken into custody upon arrival in Germany after an arrest warrant was issued by the Tucson Police Department (TPD).
The body of 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar was discovered on August 6 at an apartment in Tucson, Arizona. According to police, she had strangulation marks and scratches on her neck. The Tucson Fire Department initially responded to a call about a cardiac arrest but immediately notified the police due to the suspicious nature of the death.
Investigators allege that Batchigari traveled to Tucson International Airport after the incident and boarded a flight to Germany with the intention of continuing to India. Through coordination between the TPD, the FBI's Tucson office, and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin, Batchigari was arrested upon his arrival, preventing him from leaving Germany. He is currently awaiting extradition to Arizona, where he will face charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
According to court documents, Batchigari is alleged to have stolen Salazar's cellphone and credit cards after the killing. He then reportedly sent text messages to her mother posing as the victim, in an apparent attempt to delay discovery of the crime. These messages raised concerns among family members, prompting a welfare check that led officers to find Salazar's body.
The investigation has also brought to light prior allegations against Batchigari. A warrant obtained by local media states that he was previously involved in an assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department. Witnesses told investigators that Salazar had moved out after experiencing problems with him in late 2025 and intended to end the relationship due to an alleged history of domestic violence. Another witness alleged that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, though no formal complaint was filed at the time.
Federal records reviewed by Fox News indicate that Batchigari remained in lawful immigration status at the time of the alleged murder, despite having been expelled from the University of Arizona. The university has not released an official statement regarding his enrollment.
Batchigari faces extradition to Pima County, Arizona, where he will be booked into the Adult Detention Complex. Under the U.S. legal system, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case highlights the complexities of cross-border criminal investigations and the importance of international cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
