An Indian national on an F-1 student visa stands accused of murdering 19-year-old Julissa Salazar, a University of Arizona student he was dating, according to federal authorities. The case has drawn attention to the intersection of campus safety and immigration policy.
Varun Batchigari, 20, arrived in the United States on January 8, 2024, on a student visa to attend the University of Arizona, Fox News Digital reported this week. He is now in federal custody facing murder charges after allegedly strangling Salazar to death inside an off-campus apartment.
The Alleged Crime
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says Batchigari strangled Salazar inside the apartment. After the killing, he allegedly stole her phone and credit cards, then used the phone to send text messages to Salazar’s mother, posing as Salazar.
Salazar’s mother alerted police after receiving suspicious texts from her daughter’s phone, which ultimately led officers to discover Salazar’s body in the apartment.
Before her death, Salazar was reportedly preparing to end her relationship with Batchigari over several instances of domestic violence. Police allege that Batchigari had previously been accused of assault by the University of Arizona Police Department.
Alleged History of Violence
The accusations against Batchigari extend beyond the alleged murder. Another young woman told police that Batchigari sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party, though she did not report it at the time. A separate incident involved a physical altercation that reportedly led to Batchigari’s expulsion from the University of Arizona—despite his student visa remaining active.
These prior allegations paint a picture of a pattern of behavior that authorities say culminated in a tragic outcome.
Flight and Arrest
After allegedly murdering Salazar, Batchigari boarded a flight out of Houston, bound for his native India. However, during a layover in Germany, FBI agents arrested him at the airport.
Batchigari remains in federal custody pending the murder charges against him.
Family’s Grief
Salazar’s family has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral costs. In a description, Salazar is remembered as a “beautiful 19-year-old daughter, sister, friend, and beloved member of her family.”
“She leaves behind her parents, and two younger sisters who love and miss her more than words can express,” the fundraiser reads.
The case has sparked renewed debate over campus safety and the monitoring of international students, though no official policy changes have been announced.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/12/report-indian-national-on-student-visa-accused-of-murdering-19-year-old-julissa-salazar/