Navy reservist David Varela accused of murdering wife flees to Hong Kong

An active-duty Navy reservist accused of killing his spouse in Virginia is believed to have fled to Hong Kong, in line with a federal affidavit filed by the FBI.

Investigators stated 38-year-old David Varela left the nation on or about Feb. 5, the identical day police found his spouse’s physique in a freezer kitchen of their Norfolk residence within the 300 block of East Important Road.

Lina Maria Guerra Echavarria, 39, was reported lacking by her brother after he had not heard from her for greater than two weeks.

Detectives had additionally been unable to succeed in Varela, and his Navy supervisor advised police it was uncommon for him to not return his calls.

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Lina Maria Guerra Echavarria was discovered useless in her residence in Norfolk, Virginia on February 5, 2026. (Norfolk Police)

An post-mortem carried out by the Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner on February 10 dominated Echavarria’s loss of life a murder.

Following their investigation, Virginia authorities issued two arrest warrants charging Varela with concealing a corpse to keep away from detection and first-degree homicide.

A homeland safety investigation revealed that the Navy reservist had taken a flight to Hong Kong, and requests for disclosure of WhatsApp’s information confirmed location information originating there.

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The FBI says it’s cooperating with the investigation. (Getty Photographs)

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The affidavit notes that Varela has household in Colombia however no identified ties to Hong Kong or China.

Federal authorities have since sought an arrest warrant, claiming he fled Virginia to keep away from prosecution. Prosecutors additionally accomplished extradition allow paperwork in reference to an Interpol Crimson Discover request.

The Naval Legal Investigative Service advised Fox Information Digital on Wednesday that it’s conducting a joint investigation with the Norfolk Police Division and has referred extra inquiries to the division because the lead company.

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An aerial view of buildings in Hong Kong, China, on July 4, 2025. (Paul Yeung/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs)

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A spokesperson for the Division of Homeland Safety additionally confirmed that they’re working with native regulation enforcement.

The FBI advised Fox Information Digital in an announcement that the company “is unwavering in its assist of our native companions and can deploy its full investigative and worldwide capabilities to make sure that these chargeable for violent crimes are held accountable – irrespective of the place they try to flee.”

Police haven’t but launched a motive and say the case stays actively investigated.