An Indian national allegedly killed his girlfriend – who planned to break up with him over his history of domestic violence – before he was caught in Europe trying to escape back to his home country.
Varun Batchigari is suspected of first-degree murder in the strangulation of 19-year-old college student Julissa Rubi Salazar inside her apartment near the University of Arizona in Tucson on Thursday.
Salazar was found dead with signs of trauma at around 4 p.m. when police responded to reports of an unresponsive person after the teen’s family requested a welfare check on their daughter, the Tucson Police Department said.
Detectives identified Batchigari, Salazar’s boyfriend, as the prime suspect after he allegedly stole her phone and credit cards and sent a series of messages to her mother, which sparked concern with her family, according to KOLD.
Officials discovered the alleged killer escaped to Tucson International Airport, where he took a flight to Houston that connected to another flight out to Berlin, Germany, officials said.
The 20-year-old was believed to be heading for his home country of India.
An arrest warrant was issued for Batchigari and Arizona officials worked with federal agents to detain the suspect after he arrived in Germany, Tucson Police said.
Salazar had been planning on breaking up with Batchigari after he allegedly sexually assaulted her in the past, according to the outlet.
Her roommates allegedly heard loud screaming coming from her room that lasted for several minutes on Aug. 5, days before Salazar was found dead, KOLD reported.
The concerned roommates texted the teen afterwards asking if she was alright, only to receive a message saying she was fine and it was just an argument.
Batchigari had been attending the nearby University of Arizona, where he was studying business analytics, before he was expelled for a fight, the outlet reported.
He also had a history of domestic violence and had an open criminal case against him for assault – knowingly causing injury filed in Pima County Court on May 26, according to records viewed by The Post.
One woman interviewed by investigators claimed Batchigari had sexually assaulted her on Halloween, but she didn’t report the incident.
Batchigari had also recently lost his job, losing his ability to pay rent and putting his visa status in jeopardy.
Batchigari will be extradited to Arizona, where he will be booked into Pima County Adult Detention on his first-degree murder charge.
Salazar was remembered as a beloved daughter and sister who was enjoying life away from home studying at college.’
“No parent should ever have to experience the heartbreak of losing a child, and Julie’s parents are now facing a loss that no family could ever be prepared for,” a GoFundMe set up for Salazar’s family read. “She leaves behind her parents and two younger sisters who love and miss her more than words can express.”
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