Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona, entered the United States on an F-1 student visa, according to federal law enforcement sources. Tucson police allege he strangled Julissa Salazar inside an off-campus apartment near the University of Arizona. Authorities say Batchigari then attempted to leave the country, but he was arrested in Germany after the FBI alerted local authorities.
He faces a first-degree murder charge in Arizona. Investigators also allege that he took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards and sent messages to her mother while pretending to be Salazar, prompting a welfare check that led officers to discover her body.
The case includes allegations of escalating relationship problems, earlier violent conduct and financial and immigration concerns. Federal records reviewed by authorities indicated that Batchigari remained in lawful immigration status when Salazar was allegedly killed, although questions remain about how that status continued after his reported expulsion from the University of Arizona.
| 1) | Visa entry and international arrest |
| 2) | Murder allegations in Tucson |
| 3) | Alleged effort to conceal the killing |
| 4) | Relationship history and prior allegations |
| 5) | Immigration status and extradition process |
Visa entry and international arrest
Federal law enforcement sources said Batchigari entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport on January 8, 2024. He reportedly traveled on an F-1 student visa, which is generally issued to international students enrolled in approved educational programs.
After Salazar’s death, authorities allege Batchigari boarded a flight from Houston bound for India, with a planned layover in Germany. He was arrested there after the FBI notified local authorities. U.S. officials are now working to return him to Arizona to face the state murder charge.
Murder allegations in Tucson
Tucson police allege that Batchigari strangled Salazar on a Thursday inside an apartment located off campus near the University of Arizona. Salazar was 19 years old. The allegations are contained in a felony warrant and form the basis of a first-degree murder case.
The investigation was initiated after Salazar’s family became concerned about messages sent from her phone. A welfare check was requested, and officers subsequently found her body at the apartment. Batchigari remains an accused defendant, and the allegations have not been established at trial.
Alleged effort to conceal the killing
Investigators allege that Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards after the killing. They further allege that he used the phone to send several text messages to Salazar’s mother while posing as Salazar.
According to the investigation, the messages did not reassure Salazar’s family. Instead, they raised concerns that led relatives to seek a welfare check. Police discovery of the body then shifted the inquiry toward a suspected homicide and the search for Batchigari.
Relationship history and prior allegations
The warrant describes a relationship that had reportedly deteriorated in the months before Salazar’s death. Witnesses told investigators that Salazar moved out after experiencing problems with Batchigari in late 2025 and intended to end the relationship because of an alleged history of domestic violence.
The warrant also refers to a previous assault case investigated by University of Arizona police. One witness alleged that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party but said the allegation was never reported to law enforcement. Another witness described an alleged fight that resulted in Batchigari’s expulsion from the university. These accounts remain allegations and are separate from the murder charge.
Immigration status and extradition process
Federal records indicated that Batchigari was still in lawful immigration status when Salazar was allegedly killed, despite reports that he had been expelled from the University of Arizona. F-1 visa holders generally must remain enrolled to maintain their status, leaving the circumstances of his continued status unclear.
The FBI is assisting with efforts to extradite Batchigari from Germany to Arizona. Tucson police said they had no additional information beyond what had already been released publicly. The university had not immediately confirmed his enrollment history or whether Salazar was a student.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Batchigari entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa in January 2024. |
| 2 | He is accused of killing 19-year-old Julissa Salazar in Tucson. |
| 3 | Authorities say he was arrested in Germany while traveling toward India. |
| 4 | Investigators allege he used Salazar’s phone to mislead her family. |
| 5 | U.S. authorities are seeking his extradition to Arizona. |
Summary
The case combines a first-degree murder allegation, an alleged attempt to mislead the victim’s family and an international arrest following an attempted departure from the United States. Prosecutors will ultimately have to establish the murder charge and other facts in court. Immigration records and the reported student status may also become relevant as extradition proceedings and the Arizona case continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is accused in the case?
Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian national, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Julissa Salazar, in Tucson.
How was the suspect arrested?
Authorities allege that Batchigari traveled from Houston toward India with a layover in Germany. He was arrested in Germany after the FBI alerted local authorities.
What happens next?
U.S. authorities are working to extradite Batchigari to Arizona, where he is expected to face the first-degree murder charge. The allegations will be addressed through the criminal court process.
