Federal authorities say 38-year-old Navy reservist David Varela was arrested overseas Wednesday after more than two months on the run, ending an international search that began when his wife was found dead in their downtown Norfolk apartment.
His wife, 39-year-old Lina Maria Guerra, was discovered inside a kitchen freezer at the couple’s home on Feb. 5, 2026. Varela now faces first-degree murder and concealing a dead body charges in Virginia, and officials say he is expected to be extradited to the United States, according to FOX 5 DC.
How investigators tracked him
Investigators say Homeland Security and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service traced Varela to an international flight to Hong Kong on or about Feb. 5. Emergency-disclosure requests to WhatsApp then showed location data originating from Hong Kong.
The manhunt pulled in Norfolk police, federal agencies and international authorities before agents announced that Varela had been caught overseas, according to WTKR.
Family accounts
Guerra’s family in Colombia reported her missing after weeks without contact and told reporters they believed Varela had been controlling and at times abusive. “It’s awful he took my little girl away,” one relative said, as relayed by Law&Crime.
Legal next steps
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi has filed extradition paperwork and sought Interpol assistance, and prosecutors have reportedly completed extradition authorization tied to an Interpol Red Notice request. Officials have not publicly identified the country where Varela was arrested, and authorities say the extradition process could take time as multiple agencies coordinate, according to WTKR.
What remains unclear
Investigators have not released a firm timetable for when Varela might arrive back in the United States, and the homicide probe remains active. The case has drawn attention both for the alleged deception used to mislead Guerra’s family and for the level of international cooperation required to bring a suspect back to Virginia, reporting shows via Fox News.
