An Indian man accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, was arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the US.
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Varun Batchigari, 20, is suspected of first-degree murder in the death of University of Arizona student Julissa Rubi Salazar, who planned to break up with him over his history of domestic violence. Salazar was found dead inside her apartment on August 6, the US media outlet 13 News reported.
According to the Tucson Police Department, officers and firefighters responded to the apartment around 4pm after Salazar's family requested a welfare check.
She was found unresponsive on the floor with signs of trauma. Investigators found marks and scratches around her neck, prompting police to treat the death as a suspected homicide.
Girlfriend allegedly planned to end relationship
According to a felony warrant cited by 13 News, a roommate told investigators that Salazar had been planning to break up with Batchigari.
The roommate also alleged that Salazar had previously been sexually assaulted by Batchigari and said she was afraid of him because of his history of violent behaviour.
Another roommate told investigators that she heard loud screaming and yelling from Salazar's room on August 5, a day before her death. The disturbance reportedly lasted several minutes, followed by a brief silence and another outburst.
The roommate later texted Salazar to check if she was okay. Salazar reportedly replied that she was fine and that it was "just an argument".
Batchigari faced previous assault allegations
US media reports citing court records said Batchigari had previously been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department.
He also had an open criminal case in Pima County involving allegations of assault and knowingly causing injury, filed on May 26.
The New York Post reported that Batchigari had been expelled from the University of Arizona following a fight. He was studying business analytics at the university, according to a video posted by him on YouTube.
He had also recently lost his job, which reportedly affected his ability to pay rent and put his visa status at risk.
Suspect allegedly fled US after killing
Police said Batchigari left Tucson International Airport after Salazar's death and travelled to Houston before boarding a flight to Berlin, Germany.
Investigators believe he was attempting to continue his journey to India. An arrest warrant was issued, following which Arizona authorities worked with US federal agencies and German authorities to detain him after he arrived in Germany.
According to the Tucson Police Department, Batchigari allegedly used Salazar's bank card to arrange transportation to the airport before flying to Houston and then Germany.
Batchigari is expected to be extradited to Arizona, where he will face a first-degree murder charge and be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing.
