On April 15, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of David Varela, a 38-year-old Navy reservist, in Hong Kong, ending a two-month international manhunt for the man accused of killing his wife.
Varela was taken into custody late Tuesday and transported to San Francisco on Wednesday, where he was scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday afternoon to face charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body.
Investigators said Varela flew to Hong Kong on February 4, the same day a missing person report was filed for Guerra. WhatsApp data later showed he was in the special administrative region of China. Authorities noted he had no apparent ties to Hong Kong or China, though his family has roots in Colombia.
The case drew attention not only for the circumstances of Guerra’s death but for the behavior described by her family. Her sister-in-law, Paola Ramirez, told reporters Varela had been physically abusive in the past, though Guerra never disclosed it to avoid worrying relatives. Ramirez said he appeared religious and calm, making the violence difficult to anticipate.
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the interagency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, for the swift return of the suspect to the United States. He reiterated that although Varela had been on the run for nearly two months, justice does not forget.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said he had hoped the long arm of the law would reach Varela but admitted Notice no guarantees in such cases. He called the arrest a step toward justice for Guerra and her family.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the interagency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, for the swift return of the suspect to the United States. He reiterated that although Varela had been on the run for nearly two months, justice does not forget.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
On April 10, a tip from a woman in Russia led authorities to believe she had seen Varela in Hong Kong. That information, combined with other tips, helped narrow the search before his apprehension.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said he had hoped the long arm of the law would reach Varela but admitted Notice no guarantees in such cases. He called the arrest a step toward justice for Guerra and her family.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the interagency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, for the swift return of the suspect to the United States. He reiterated that although Varela had been on the run for nearly two months, justice does not forget.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
Varela’s family in Colombia confirmed his arrest after speaking with investigators. Guerra’s relatives said they had contacted police in mid-January after growing suspicious when Varela claimed she had been jailed for shoplifting, even providing a fabricated image of her in an orange jumpsuit.
On April 10, a tip from a woman in Russia led authorities to believe she had seen Varela in Hong Kong. That information, combined with other tips, helped narrow the search before his apprehension.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said he had hoped the long arm of the law would reach Varela but admitted Notice no guarantees in such cases. He called the arrest a step toward justice for Guerra and her family.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the interagency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, for the swift return of the suspect to the United States. He reiterated that although Varela had been on the run for nearly two months, justice does not forget.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
Varela’s family in Colombia confirmed his arrest after speaking with investigators. Guerra’s relatives said they had contacted police in mid-January after growing suspicious when Varela claimed she had been jailed for shoplifting, even providing a fabricated image of her in an orange jumpsuit.
On April 10, a tip from a woman in Russia led authorities to believe she had seen Varela in Hong Kong. That information, combined with other tips, helped narrow the search before his apprehension.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said he had hoped the long arm of the law would reach Varela but admitted Notice no guarantees in such cases. He called the arrest a step toward justice for Guerra and her family.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the interagency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, for the swift return of the suspect to the United States. He reiterated that although Varela had been on the run for nearly two months, justice does not forget.
Varela remains in federal custody ahead of his court appearance. He is expected to be formally charged in Virginia for the death of his wife, whose body was found concealed in the apartment they shared.
What charges is David Varela facing?
David Varela is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra.
Where was Lina Guerra’s body found?
Lina Guerra’s body was discovered inside the kitchen freezer of the apartment she shared with David Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 5, 2026.
How did authorities locate David Varela in Hong Kong?
Authorities acted on a tip from a woman in Russia who reported seeing Varela in Hong Kong on April 10, which, combined with other leads and WhatsApp data showing his location, led to his apprehension.
