VA - Lina Guerra Echavarria, 39, found dead inside freezer, Norfolk, 5 February 2026

[TwinkieDefense]

Feb 17, 2026 article

https://people.com/missing-woman-found-dead-freezer-husband-allegedly-fled-hong-kong-11908011

[…]

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi confirms to PEOPLE Varela has been charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body.

"He is also now charged with the federal crime of fleeing across state or federal lines to avoid arrest or prosecution," Fatehi said.

[…]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

• The family of Lina M. Guerra Echavarria said they have been unable to access the Virginia woman’s ashes after she was allegedly murdered by her husband and found in a freezer in her Norfolk home
• Her husband, David Varela, has been charged with murder but has not been arrested as authorities believe he fled the country
• “Sometimes we sit and talk and wonder what his life is like — whether he can sleep, whether he is living normally as if nothing happened,” said one of Echavarria’s relative
• https://people.com/family-of-woman-...they-are-struggling-to-get-her-ashes-11948243

 

[Caring1]

David Varela has been apprehended overseas. He is in custody and will be extradited back to the U.S.

April 15, 2026

NORFOLK, Va. — David Varela — the man who set off an international manhunt after allegedly murdering his wife in Norfolk — has been placed in custody and will be extradited back to the United States, the victim's family confirmed to News 3.

David Varela, who fled US following wife's murder, arrested and extradited, Lina's family says

The Navy Reservist has been placed in custody and will be extradited back to the United States, Lina Guerra's family confirmed to News 3.

www.wtkr.com

 

[joe jones]

Man who cops say killed wife, stuffed her body in freezer allegedly searching for new wife

A man accused of killing his wife, stuffing her body in their Virginia apartment's freezer, and then evading arrest for months has apparently developed a new mission: find a new spouse.

lawandcrime.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

David Varela, a 38-year-old Navy Reservist, was wanted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Lina M. Guerra, 39, who was found dead at their Norfolk apartment in February, FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social media post. Varela had been on the run for more than two months, “but justice doesn’t forget,” he said.

Varela was returned to the United States on Wednesday and remains in California, where he faces federal charges, Norfolk police said Thursday in a news release.

A notice filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco states that Varela was arrested on an unlawful flight warrant and accused of fleeing to Hong Kong from Virginia to avoid prosecution for first-degree murder and concealing a dead body to prevent detection.

Navy Reservist arrested, accused of leaving country after wife’s body found in freezer

A man accused of fleeing to Hong Kong after his wife’s body was found in a freezer has been apprehended.

www.wowt.com