Indian national arrested in Germany after allegedly strangling girlfriend in Arizona and fleeing US: Report

Indian national Varun Batchigari, 20, has been arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the United States following the killing of his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, according to KOLD.

The Tucson Police Department confirmed that Batchigari is in custody in Germany and is awaiting extradition to the U. He faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar.

According to KOLD, investigators allege that Batchigari strangled Salazar and then took her cellphone and bank cards.

He allegedly used one of Salazar’s bank cards to pay for a ride to Tucson International Airport. From Tucson, he flew to Houston and then travelled onward to Germany.

Police according to the news report said Batchigari was planning to fly from Germany to India, his home country, but was arrested after arriving in Germany.

The Tucson Police Department said the arrest was made with assistance from the FBI’s Tucson office and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin.

Salazar was found dead in her apartment near Euclid Avenue and Elm Street on August 6, KOLD reported.

The Tucson Fire Department responded at around 4 p.m. after Salazar’s family requested a welfare check. Firefighters found her body on the floor with a blanket pulled up to her neck.

She had strangulation marks and scratches on her neck, prompting firefighters to call Tucson police.

According to a felony warrant obtained by 13 News and cited by the news outlet, one of Salazar’s roommates told investigators that she had planned to break up with Batchigari.

The roommate also alleged that Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and said she was frightened of him because of his alleged history of violent behaviour.

Another roommate told investigators that she heard loud screaming and yelling coming from Salazar’s room on August 5, the night before Salazar was found dead.

The roommate said the noise continued for several minutes, followed by a brief period of silence and another short outburst. She later heard a woman’s voice and texted Salazar to ask whether she was safe.

The warrant reportedly states that Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department.

One of Salazar’s friends told investigators that she had moved in with others after experiencing problems with Batchigari in late 2025.