Tucson, Arizona — The death of a 19-year-old University of Arizona student has sparked a homicide investigation after police say her boyfriend allegedly killed her just as she was preparing to end their relationship.
Authorities say the suspect then fled the United States, traveling from Tucson to Germany before being arrested in Berlin. The case has left Salazar’s family and friends grieving as investigators work to reconstruct the events leading up to her death.
Student Found Dead During Welfare Check
Authorities responded to a welfare check request at Julissa Rubi Salazar’s apartment near the University of Arizona’s main campus on Thursday, Aug. 6, according to the Tucson Police Department.
When Tucson firefighters arrived, they discovered Salazar, 19, dead inside the apartment. Medics observed signs of trauma on her body, prompting police to respond and begin a homicide investigation.
Detectives subsequently gathered evidence at the scene and conducted numerous interviews, eventually obtaining an arrest warrant for Salazar’s boyfriend, Varun Batchigari, 20.
He is accused of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Boyfriend Allegedly Fled to Germany
Police say Batchigari left Tucson on the same day Salazar was found dead.
Investigators allege that he traveled through Tucson International Airport to Berlin, with plans to continue on to his home country of India.
However, authorities were able to coordinate an international arrest.
According to police, the Tucson Police Department, FBI Tucson Office and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin worked together to locate Batchigari.
He was taken into custody after arriving in Germany.
Batchigari remains in custody while authorities work through the process of extraditing him back to Arizona. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney available to speak on his behalf.
Investigators Say Salazar Had Signs of Strangulation
A felony arrest warrant obtained by local media reportedly states that Salazar showed signs consistent with strangulation. Investigators also found her with a blanket pulled up around her neck, according to the warrant.
Court documents further allege that Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards before leaving the country. Those details have become part of the evidence investigators are examining as they build the case against him.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Roommate Says Student Planned to Leave Relationship
One of Salazar’s roommates reportedly told investigators that the teenager had been planning to break up with Batchigari shortly before her death.
The roommate also said Salazar was afraid of her boyfriend, citing alleged violent behavior in the past.
Another roommate reportedly told investigators that they had heard screaming coming from Salazar’s bedroom on Aug. 5, just one day before she was found dead.
Those accounts are now being reviewed by detectives as they attempt to establish a timeline of what happened inside the apartment.
Suspect Had Previous Disciplinary and Abuse Allegations
Reports also indicate that Batchigari had previously been expelled from the University of Arizona following a fight. Local reporting has additionally described allegations involving domestic violence and sexual assault in his history.
Authorities have not indicated how those previous incidents relate to the current homicide investigation. The latest charges stem from evidence investigators say they collected after Salazar’s death.
Family Raises Funds After Tragic Death
Salazar’s death has left her family facing not only emotional devastation but also significant expenses.
A family friend established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of transporting her body, along with funeral and memorial expenses and counseling for her loved ones.
According to the fundraising page, Salazar is survived by her parents and two younger sisters.
As Batchigari remains in German custody awaiting extradition, investigators in Arizona continue working to build their case and determine the full circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death.
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