Indian Student Arrested In Germany For Arizona Murder

Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian student, was arrested in Germany on August 9, 2026, for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Tucson, Arizona. The murder occurred on August 6, 2026, at a Tucson apartment.

According to the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Batchigari travelled to the Tucson International Airport and boarded a flight to Germany, planning to continue to India. However, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Through close coordination between TPD, the FBI Tucson Office, and the FBI Legal Attache Office in Berlin, Batchigari was taken into custody upon his arrival in Germany.

Investigators allege that Batchigari stole Salazar's cellphone and credit cards after the killing and sent a series of text messages to her mother while posing as the victim. The messages raised concern among Salazar's family, prompting a welfare check that led officers to discover her body. The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) responded to a call about a cardiac arrest around 4 pm on August 6 and found Salazar dead on the floor of her apartment with a blanket pulled up to her neck.

Salazar had strangulation marks and scratches on her neck, leading the TFD crew to call the city police. According to the warrant, Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department. Witnesses interviewed by investigators said Salazar moved out after experiencing problems with Batchigari in late 2025 and had planned to end the relationship due to an alleged history of domestic violence.

The warrant also includes allegations from multiple witnesses describing prior violent behaviour. One witness told investigators that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party but said she never reported the allegation to law enforcement. Federal records show Batchigari remained in lawful immigration status at the time of the alleged murder despite his reported expulsion from the University of Arizona.

Batchigari was admitted to the US on a F-1 student visa after flying into LAX on January 8, 2024. He was a business analytics student at the University of Arizona. The arrest of Batchigari in Germany has prevented him from fleeing to India, and he will now face charges for the alleged murder of his girlfriend.

The case has raised concerns about domestic violence and the importance of reporting allegations of assault. The University of Arizona Police Department and the Tucson Police Department are continuing to investigate the case.

In a statement, the Tucson Police said, 'Through close coordination between TPD, the FBI Tucson Office, and the FBI Legal Attache Office in Berlin, Batchigari was taken into custody upon his arrival in Germany, preventing him from continuing his travel.' The arrest of Batchigari is a significant development in the case, and it is expected that he will be extradited to the US to face trial.

The incident has shocked the community, and the family of Julissa Rubi Salazar is seeking justice for her murder. The case is a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to victims.

In conclusion, the arrest of Varun Batchigari in Germany is a significant step towards justice for the family of Julissa Rubi Salazar. The case highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence and the need for continued support for victims and their families.