Indian national accused of strangling US girlfriend arrested in Germany

Varun Batchigari, an Indian national, was arrested in Germany on suspicion of first-degree murder after allegedly killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Tucson, Arizona. The 20-year-old was found dead inside his girlfriend's apartment on August 6, after Salazar's family requested a welfare check. Police found signs of trauma around her neck, leading them to treat the death as a suspected homicide.

A roommate claimed Salazar had expressed plans to break up with Batchigari, citing his history of domestic violence and a previous sexual assault allegation. Another roommate reported hearing loud screaming and yelling from Salazar's room the day before her death, followed by a brief silence and another outburst. Batchigari had previously faced assault allegations from the University of Arizona Police Department and an open criminal case involving allegations of assault and knowingly causing injury.

He was expelled from the university following a fight and had recently lost his job, which put his visa status at risk. Police believe Batchigari fled the US after the killing, traveling to Houston and then Berlin, Germany, where he was arrested. He is expected to be extradited to Arizona to face the murder charge.