The chilling discovery began with a silence. Lina Maria Guerra Echavarria, 39, hadn’t been heard from in over two weeks, prompting a desperate missing person report filed by her worried brother.
Police arrived at the couple’s Norfolk, Virginia home, a seemingly ordinary residence on East Main Street, only to uncover a horrifying secret. Lina’s body was found concealed within a kitchen freezer, a grim tableau that immediately signaled foul play.
Her husband, 38-year-old David Varela, a Navy reservist on active duty, became the focus of the investigation. Detectives quickly noted his own unavailability, a stark contrast to his usual responsiveness, according to his Navy supervisor.
An autopsy confirmed the family’s worst fears: Lina’s death was ruled a homicide. The evidence began to mount, leading Virginia authorities to issue arrest warrants for Varela, charging him with concealing a body and first-degree murder.
But before authorities could locate him, Varela vanished. Investigators soon learned he had left the country around February 5th, the very day Lina’s body was discovered – a chilling coincidence that solidified suspicions.
The trail led investigators across continents, to the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong. Homeland Security Investigations tracked Varela’s movements through emergency disclosure requests from WhatsApp, pinpointing his location to the distant city.
The choice of Hong Kong is perplexing. Varela has family roots in Colombia, but no known connections to Hong Kong or mainland China, raising questions about his motives and potential support network.
Federal authorities have now sought an arrest warrant alleging flight to avoid prosecution, and have initiated the complex process of extradition authorization through an Interpol Red Notice request.
A joint investigation is underway, spearheaded by Norfolk police and supported by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Homeland Security, demonstrating the breadth of resources dedicated to bringing Varela to justice.
The FBI has affirmed its unwavering commitment to the case, pledging to utilize its full investigative and international capabilities to ensure accountability. Yet, the motive behind this tragedy remains shrouded in mystery, as the investigation continues to unfold.
