A US Navy officer accused of murdering his wife fled the country after being held for more than two months after his wife’s body was found stuffed in a refrigerator, according to authorities.
On February 5, Lina M. Guerra was found dead in the kitchen fridge of her home in Norfolk, Virginia, where she lived with her husband, David Varelaaccording to police and an affidavit filed in federal court, Us Weekly previously reported. He was 39 years old.
Varela – charged with murder and concealing a body to prevent discovery of Guerra’s death – is being held in custody overseas, FBI Director. Kash Patel said a statement shared with X on Wednesday, April 15.
The FBI director did not specify where Varela, 38, was captured.
In addition to the federal felony charges, Varela is also charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, court records said.
Authorities allege that on the same day Norfolk police found Guerra’s body, Varela fled the US on a flight to Hong Kong, according to an affidavit written by a special agent with the FBI.
Guerra’s brother reported her missing after not being able to find her for more than two weeks, according to the affidavit.
Norfolk police detectives also “had no previous contact with Varela or [Guerra],” the affidavit said.
On Feb. 5, when police executed a search warrant at the couple’s home in Norfolk, Varela’s “immediate superior” in the military, a junior officer, could not be reached by phone, according to the file.
Varela’s manager told “investigators that this is unusual for him, as Varela is known for answering calls quickly,” the affidavit said.
Although Varela was not at home, police found his car parked outside in the parking lot, according to the filing.
Guerra’s family members, who live in Colombia and spoke to WTKR, described Varela as jealous and controlling.
“I want to emphasize that there has been violence before from David,” Guerra’s sister, Paola Ramirezhe said while using a translator and speaking to an investigative reporter at a television station, Margaret Kavanaugh.
Guerra died of blunt force trauma and unconsciousness, according to the medical examiner, WTKR reported.
It is unclear whether Varela has an attorney available to comment on his behalf.
Varela will face criminal charges following his extradition to the US, according to WTKR.
