Navy reservist accused in wife's murder arrested after international manhunt
A U.S. Navy reservist accused of murder has been arrested overseas after a monthslong international manhunt, authorities said. He faces charges for allegedly killing his wife at their Virginia home.
Updated on: April 16, 2026 / 12:01 PM EDT / CBS News
A United States Navy reservist accused of killing his wife has been arrested following a weekslong international manhunt, FBI Director Kash Patel announced late Wednesday.
David Varela, 38, is wanted for first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Lina Guerra, earlier this year. He was apprehended overseas Wednesday for extradition back to the U.S., Patel said.
Authorities discovered Guerra's body inside the kitchen freezer at the home she shared with Varela in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 5, according to the Norfolk Police Department . Police said Guerra had been reported missing the previous day. She was 39.
"I want to recognize [Homeland Security Investigations], our partners, and the interagency effort for the quick apprehension and return to the United States," Patel said after the arrest. "Mr. Varela has been on the run for almost two months attempting to avoid prosecution for these heinous crimes, but justice doesn't forget."
Police detectives charged Varela with his wife's murder after an autopsy ruled her death a homicide. The medical examiner found that Guerra died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, CBS affiliate WTKR reported.