Navy reservist David Varela allegedly murdered his wife and stuffed her body in a freezer, then fled to Hong Kong with a fabricated prison story, exposing failures in military oversight of domestic abusers.
Story Highlights
- David Varela, 38-year-old active-duty Navy reservist, charged with first-degree murder and concealment of Lina Guerra’s body, found in their Norfolk kitchen freezer on February 5, 2026.
- Varela deceived Guerra’s Colombian family with a fake story of her shoplifting imprisonment, sending a doctored photo, while fleeing to Hong Kong.
- International manhunt underway via Interpol, NCIS, DHS, and Norfolk authorities; Varela remains at large as of February 18, 2026.
- Family describes Varela’s controlling jealousy that isolated Guerra from work, friends, and freedom, raising alarms on military vetting for abusers.
- Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi calls intimate partner homicides emotionally taxing, seeks extradition in rare Interpol case.
Gruesome Discovery in Norfolk Apartment
Norfolk Police executed a search warrant on February 5, 2026, at the downtown apartment shared by David Varela and Lina Guerra. Officers found Guerra’s 39-year-old body inside the kitchen freezer. Varela’s Tesla remained parked outside, and Guerra’s cell phone sat inside the home. Homeland Security Investigations confirmed Varela boarded a flight to Hong Kong that same day. No ties link Varela to Hong Kong or China.
Deceptive Cover-Up and Family Deception
Varela contacted Guerra’s family in Colombia during early February 2026. He claimed Guerra received a five-year prison sentence for shoplifting. To support the lie, Varela sent a fabricated photo of himself visiting her in jail, dressed in an orange prison outfit. Guerra’s brother reported her missing on February 2 after over two weeks without contact. She typically spoke with family daily. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide on February 10.
History of Abuse and Isolation
Guerra’s family detailed Varela’s controlling behavior. The jealous husband barred her from working, maintaining friendships, studying, or leaving home alone. A friend remembered Guerra as a sweet, kind person who cherished her three dogs. This pattern underscores intimate partner violence risks. Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi noted such cases prove especially taxing, as they involve supposed loved ones betraying trust.
President Trump’s administration prioritizes deporting criminal illegal aliens and strengthening border security, but cases like this highlight the need for rigorous vetting of active-duty personnel. Military accountability protects American families from internal threats as much as external ones. Loose oversight allows abusers to evade justice, eroding trust in institutions.
International Manhunt and Extradition Efforts
Federal agencies including NCIS and DHS coordinate with Interpol for Varela’s arrest across 190 countries. International warrants target the fugitive. Fatehi, in his 19 years as prosecutor, calls this only his second Interpol-involved case. He stressed challenges: paperwork and locating suspects. Extradition hinges on bilateral agreements once Varela surfaces.
Short-term, Guerra’s family endures trauma amid cross-border legal hurdles. The Navy faces scrutiny over domestic violence screening for reservists. Long-term, this prompts policy reviews to prevent military members from committing such horrors. Law enforcement demonstrates vital global cooperation against fugitives, ensuring justice prevails despite borders.
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International Manhunt: Navy Reservist Charged With Killing Wife Found Dead in Kitchen Freezer
International manhunt underway for Norfolk man accused of killing wife, hiding body in freezer
