Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Indian Man Arrested in Germany Over Arizona Girlfriend's Murder
A young woman named Julissa Rubi Salazar lived in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States.
When her family could not reach her, they asked the police to check on her.
The police found her dead in her apartment.
First responders believed someone had hurt her badly, and police think she was strangled.
Her boyfriend, Varun Batchigari, was 20 years old and came from India.
The police think he took her phone and credit cards and even sent messages to her mother using her phone.
They also think he flew from Tucson to Houston and then to Berlin, Germany, because he was trying to get back to India.
German police caught him in Germany before he could go any further.
Now he is in custody in Germany and may be sent back to Arizona to face a judge.
German police arrested 20-year-old Indian national Varun Batchigari in connection with the death of his 19-year-old girlfriend Julissa Rubi Salazar in Tucson, Arizona.
Salazar was found unresponsive in her apartment near Euclid Avenue and Elm Street and pronounced dead at the scene after her family requested a welfare check.
Authorities allege Salazar was strangled and that Batchigari took her phone and credit cards and used her phone to send messages to her mother.
Batchigari flew from Tucson International Airport to Houston and then to Berlin, Germany, allegedly planning to travel onward to India before being detained.
He faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges and is expected to be extradited to Arizona and booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
- Who
- Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian national, and Julissa Rubi Salazar, his 19-year-old girlfriend and college student
- What
- Salazar was found dead in her Tucson apartment; Batchigari was arrested in Germany and faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges
- When
- Police and emergency crews were called around 4 pm on a Thursday after a welfare check; roommates had reportedly heard screaming from her bedroom on August 5 days earlier
- Where
- Tucson, Arizona, United States; Batchigari was detained in Berlin, Germany after flying via Houston
- Why
- Authorities allege Batchigari killed Salazar and attempted to flee to India via Europe, leading to warrants charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping
Account of the authorities
Presumption of innocence
Murder allegations vs. presumption of innocence
Account of the authorities
Police allege Batchigari strangled Salazar, took her phone and credit cards, sent messages to her mother and fled the US, leading to first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.
Presumption of innocence
Batchigari remains accused, not convicted, and the circumstances surrounding Salazar's death are still under investigation.
Relationship history allegations
Account of the authorities
Reports allege Salazar had been planning to end the relationship amid concerns about his history of domestic violence and had previously accused him of sexual assault.
Presumption of innocence
Those allegations were reportedly not reported to police and are said to be part of the ongoing investigation rather than established facts.
- Accused
- Varun Batchigari, 20, Indian national, former University of Arizona student
- Victim
- Julissa Rubi Salazar, 19, college student
- Victim's affiliation
- Reported as a University of Arizona student in one report; another report says she was a student living near Arizona State University
- Location of crime
- Tucson, Arizona, US (apartment near Euclid Avenue and Elm Street)
- Charges
- First-degree murder and kidnapping
- Flight route
- Tucson International Airport → Houston → Berlin, Germany
- Agencies involved
- FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, US Marshals Service and Munich police
- Case status
- In custody in Germany; extradition to Arizona and booking at Pima County Adult Detention Center expected
