Police Arrest Expelled Student For Murder As He Tries To Flee US

Photo: CBP

India-West News Desk

TUCSON, AZ – A 20-year-old Indian student has been taken into custody in connection with the death of his 19-year-old girlfriend at an apartment near the University of Arizona, according to local media reports.

Varun Batchigari is accused of first-degree murder in the killing of Julissa Rubi Salazar, whose family had asked police to conduct a welfare check after they grew concerned. Officers who responded found her unresponsive, with injuries indicating trauma.

Investigators said Batchigari quickly became a person of interest after he allegedly used Salazar’s phone and credit cards and sent messages to her mother that raised alarm. A search followed, leading authorities to Tucson International Airport, where he had boarded a flight to Houston with a connection onward to Berlin. Reports said he was attempting to leave for India.

Records reviewed by media outlets show Batchigari had been studying business analytics at the University of Arizona but was expelled after a fight. A separate assault case had been filed against him in Pima County Court in May. In addition, a woman had accused him of sexual assault in an earlier incident that was not formally reported.

Reports also said Batchigari had recently lost his job, putting his visa status at risk. He is expected to be booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center on the murder charge.