An Indian national accused of murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, entered the United States on an F-1 student visa, according to federal law enforcement sources. Tucson police allege that Varun Batchigari, 20, strangled Julissa Salazar inside an off-campus apartment near the University of Arizona. Authorities say he later attempted to leave the country for India and was arrested in Germany after the FBI alerted local officials. U.S. authorities are now seeking his extradition to Arizona.

Investigators also allege that Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards and sent messages to her mother while pretending to be Salazar. The messages prompted relatives to request a welfare check, during which officers found Salazar’s body. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Visa entry and international arrest

Federal law enforcement sources said Batchigari entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 8, 2024, using an F-1 student visa. After the alleged killing in Tucson, authorities say he boarded a flight from Houston headed for India, with a planned layover in Germany.

The FBI notified German authorities, who arrested Batchigari during the journey. U.S. officials are working to return him to Arizona, where he faces a first-degree murder charge. The international arrest has made extradition a central part of the case’s next phase.

Tucson murder investigation

Tucson police allege that Batchigari killed Salazar, 19, on a Thursday inside an apartment located off campus near the University of Arizona. A felony warrant describes an investigation into an increasingly troubled relationship and alleged violence before Salazar’s death.

Police became involved after Salazar’s family grew concerned about messages sent from her phone. The family requested a welfare check, and officers discovered her body at the apartment. Batchigari has been charged with first-degree murder, but the allegations have not been established at trial.

Alleged efforts to conceal the killing

Investigators allege that Batchigari took Salazar’s cellphone and credit cards after the killing. They say he then used the phone to send multiple text messages to Salazar’s mother while posing as the victim.

According to the account in the warrant, the messages did not reassure Salazar’s family and instead increased their concern. That concern led to the welfare check that brought officers to the apartment. Authorities have characterized the alleged conduct as an effort to hide the crime and delay discovery of Salazar’s death.

Prior allegations and personal difficulties

The warrant reportedly includes witness accounts of earlier violent behavior. One witness alleged that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, although she did not report the allegation to police. The warrant also refers to a previous assault case investigated by the University of Arizona Police Department.

Witnesses told investigators that Salazar moved out after relationship problems in late 2025 and planned to end the relationship because of alleged domestic violence. Another account said Batchigari had been expelled from the university after a fight, later lost his job and experienced financial problems. These allegations form part of the background described by investigators, not separate convictions established in the murder case.

Immigration status and next steps

Federal records reviewed by law enforcement reportedly showed that Batchigari remained in lawful immigration status when Salazar was allegedly killed, despite reports of his expulsion from the university. F-1 students generally must remain enrolled to preserve their status, and the reason his status had not changed was not clear.

The Tucson Police Department said it had no additional information beyond what had already been released publicly. The University of Arizona was contacted for information about Batchigari’s enrollment history and whether Salazar was a student, but no immediate response was reported. Extradition proceedings and the Arizona criminal case will determine how the allegations proceed.

Summary

The case involves a first-degree murder accusation, an alleged attempt to leave the country and questions surrounding the defendant’s student-visa status. Investigators say family concerns over messages from Salazar’s phone led police to discover her body. Batchigari’s arrest in Germany places extradition proceedings before the Arizona criminal case can advance fully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is accused in the case?

Varun Batchigari, 20, an Indian national, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Julissa Salazar, in Tucson.

What charge does he face?

He faces a first-degree murder charge in Arizona. The charge is an allegation and must be resolved through court proceedings.

Where was Batchigari arrested?

He was arrested in Germany after allegedly traveling from Houston toward India with a layover there.

What happens next?

U.S. authorities are seeking his extradition to Arizona, where the murder case is expected to proceed once he is returned.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

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.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Susan Gehrke, a 61-year-old Tucson grandmother who survived cancer twice, died four days after she was allegedly attacked outside an apartment complex. Police said Dahseir Edward Jefferson, 27, approached Gehrke and a man on an apartment patio and assaulted both of them. Jefferson was arrested after a search and now faces a second-degree murder charge. He remains held on a $650,000 bond as the investigation continues.

The July 24 incident occurred at an apartment complex at 1201 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson. Officers and firefighters responded at approximately 10 p.m. after receiving reports of a fight. Gehrke was transported to a hospital in life-threatening condition and later died from her injuries.

Her family described her as a devoted worker who was preparing to retire. Relatives said her death has left them shocked and grieving, while detectives continue examining the circumstances of the alleged attack.

Fatal attack at a Tucson apartment complex

Tucson police and firefighters were called to the apartment complex at 1201 N. Alvernon Way at about 10 p.m. on July 24, 2026. Responders found Gehrke and an unidentified man suffering from injuries. Gehrke was taken to a hospital in life-threatening condition, while the other injured man was also treated after the alleged confrontation.

According to police, Gehrke and the man were on an apartment patio when Jefferson allegedly approached them and became confrontational. Investigators said the male victim was punched first and sustained serious injuries after falling to the ground. The alleged attacker left before officers arrived.

Police investigation and arrest

Detectives identified Jefferson during the initial investigation and began searching for him. Members of the Tucson Police Department’s community engagement squad located him on July 28 near Speedway Boulevard and Country Club Road, four days after the reported attack.

Jefferson was initially booked on two counts of aggravated assault. After Gehrke died from her injuries four days after the incident, police amended the charges to include second-degree murder. The case remains based on allegations, and the charge has not been resolved in court.

Murder charge and criminal history

Dahseir Edward Jefferson appeared in court on July 29, 2026, in connection with the murder charge. He is being held on a $650,000 bond. Court proceedings will determine how the allegations move forward.

State records show that Jefferson previously served time in an Arizona prison for aggravated assault. He was sentenced to five years in 2021 and released in October 2024. Records also show an earlier burglary conviction. The prior convictions are part of the public record, but they do not establish the facts of the current case.

Family remembers Gehrke’s life

Gehrke’s family said the injuries left her unrecognizable and described her as someone who worked throughout her life to support her relatives. Her grandson, Frankie Zills, said her dedication to her family was among the qualities people would remember most.

“She’s an old lady that literally worked her whole life to support her family, and that’s the most memorable thing that anybody could do,” Frankie Zills said.

Relatives also said Gehrke had beaten cancer twice and was close to retiring. They described her as a source of support and compassion who routinely placed others before herself.

“Susan was a beacon of light to everyone who knew her,” the family said.

Investigation and court proceedings

Detectives from the department’s Robbery Assault Unit and Homicide Unit are continuing to investigate the attack. Their work includes reviewing the reported confrontation, the injuries suffered by both victims and the events leading to Gehrke’s death.

The investigation will proceed alongside the criminal case against Jefferson. Authorities have not released additional details about the unidentified male victim or disclosed a possible motive. Further court action is expected as prosecutors and investigators review the evidence.

Summary

The death of Susan Gehrke has led to a second-degree murder charge against Dahseir Edward Jefferson. Police say the alleged attack began during a confrontation at a Tucson apartment complex and injured two people. Gehrke’s family is remembering her as a cancer survivor, longtime worker and devoted grandmother. Detectives continue investigating while the criminal case proceeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Susan Gehrke?

Susan Gehrke was a 61-year-old Tucson grandmother who, according to her family, survived cancer twice and was preparing to retire.

What charge does Dahseir Edward Jefferson face?

Dahseir Edward Jefferson faces a second-degree murder charge. He was initially booked on two aggravated assault counts before Gehrke’s death led police to amend the charges.

When and where did the alleged attack occur?

The alleged attack occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on July 24, 2026, at an apartment complex at 1201 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson.

What is the status of the investigation?

The Robbery Assault Unit and Homicide Unit are continuing to investigate. Jefferson remains in custody on a $650,000 bond, and the allegations will be addressed through the court process.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.