Indian national arrested in Germany, charged with murder of University of Arizona girlfriend

An Indian national was arrested and charged with murder after fleeing the country as police investigated the death of his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona.

Varun Batchigari, 20, boarded a flight to Germany at Tucson International Airport, en route to India, on Thursday — the day that Julissa Rubi Salazar was found unresponsive in her apartment near the University of Arizona, according to the Tucson Police Department.

Salazar’s family had requested a welfare check after being unable to reach her. First responders noticed indications of trauma upon arrival and called the police, who have not described Salazar’s injuries.

Batchigari was arrested upon arrival in Germany with the assistance of U.S. and German authorities. He was taken into custody on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

On Friday, he was awaiting extradition to Arizona.