A 20-year-old Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona was arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the US and attempting to travel to India.

A 20-year-old Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, was arrested in Germany after allegedly fleeing the United States and attempting to travel to India, authorities said.

The suspect, Varun Batchigari, has been identified by Tucson police in connection with the death of Julissa Rubi Salazar, a University of Arizona student. Salazar was found dead inside her apartment on Thursday after her family requested a welfare check. First responders found her unresponsive and with signs of trauma, prompting a homicide investigation.

Investigators subsequently identified Batchigari, who was Salazar’s boyfriend, as the suspect. Police obtained warrants charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping, according to local media reports.

Authorities said Batchigari left Tucson on the same day Salazar was found dead. He reportedly flew from Tucson International Airport to Houston before boarding a connecting flight to Germany. Investigators believed he intended to continue to India, his home country. US authorities then coordinated with German and other international agencies to locate and detain him after he arrived in Germany.

Tucson police credited federal and international partners, including the FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the US Marshals Service and Munich police, for helping locate and arrest the suspect. Batchigari is expected to be extradited to Arizona to face the charges.

worldMore from World

Reports citing investigators and court records have also raised questions about Batchigari’s previous interactions with authorities. He had reportedly been a University of Arizona student and was facing an earlier assault case. Reports also allege that Salazar had planned to end the relationship amid concerns about his history of domestic violence. However, those allegations are said to be part of the ongoing investigation.

The circumstances surrounding Salazar’s death remain under investigation and Batchigari remains accused, not convicted. His arrest in Germany brings the case closer to an extradition process and potential prosecution in Arizona.