Indian Man Arrested in Germany After Arizona Girlfriend's Death

An Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, has been arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the United States. Varun Batchigari, 20, is in custody in Germany and awaiting extradition to face charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar, the Tucson Police Department said.

Salazar was found dead in her apartment near the University of Arizona on August 6 after her family requested a welfare check. Tucson Fire Department crews responded around 4 p.m. and found her body on the floor with a blanket pulled up to her neck. They observed marks consistent with strangulation and scratches on her neck and alerted police. Homicide detectives identified Batchigari, Salazar's boyfriend, as the prime suspect.

According to investigators, Batchigari allegedly strangled Salazar and then took her cellphone and bank cards. He allegedly used one of her cards to pay for a ride to Tucson International Airport. From Tucson, he flew to Houston and then boarded a flight to Germany. Police said he had planned to travel onward to India but was arrested upon his arrival in Germany. The arrest was made with the assistance of...