By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The 20-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend in Tucson after she planned to break up with him has been arrested in Germany after fleeing the country.
Read more 1 critical, 1 hurt after shooting leaves car crashed into Avondale home
The Tucson Police Department confirmed Varun Batchigari is in custody and awaiting extradition back to Pima County.
Batchigari, who allegedly had a violent history, is facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar.
According to a YouTube video posted by Batchigari, he was a business analytics student at the University of Arizona. According to court documents, Batchigari was expelled from the school following a fight and had a history of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The TPD said Salazar had obvious signs of trauma when she was found dead in an apartment near Euclid and Elm on Aug. 6. The TPD said the Tucson Fire Department went to the home around 4 p.m. after family members requested a welfare check.
Batchigari allegedly stole Salazar’s cell phone and bank cards after strangling her. He then allegedly used the bank card to get a ride to the Tucson International Airport.
From there, he flew to Houston and then boarded a flight to Germany. The TPD said he planned to then take a flight to his home country of India, but was taken into custody when he arrived in Germany.
The TPD said the arrest was made possible by the FBI Tucson Office and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin.
According to the felony warrant obtained by 13 News, the Tucson Fire Department responded to a call about a cardiac arrest around 4 p.m. on Aug. 6. Crews found Salazar dead on the floor of her apartment with a blanket pulled up to her neck.
Salazar had strangulation marks and scratches on her neck, so the TFD crew called the TPD.
One of Salazar’s roommates told investigators Salazar had planned to break up with Batchigari.
Read more Chandler ends use of Flock license plate readers after audit finds ‘anomaly’
The roommate said that Salazar had been sexually assaulted by Batchigari before, and the roommate said she was scared of Batchigari because of his history of violent behavior.
Another roommate said they heard loud screaming and yelling coming from Salazar’s room on Aug. 5. They said it lasted several minutes before a short period of silence followed again by a brief outburst.
That roommate said she heard a woman’s voice after that, but could not tell if anyone else was present. The roommate said she texted Salazar to see if she was OK, and said Salazar responded that she was fine and that it was just an argument.
According to the warrant, Batchigari had been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department.
One of Salazar’s friends told investigators Salazar moved in when she had problems with Batchigari in late 2025.
One of the people interviewed said Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, but did not report the incident to law enforcement.
Another person said Batchigari had been expelled from school following a fight. They also said that Batchigari had lost his job, leading to problems with his visa and paying rent.
Batchigari allegedly used Salazar’s cell to text her mother. Salazar’s mom said the messages were not consistent with the messages her daughter had sent in the past.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more University of Arizona grad student charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and abuse
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.