Overview
- David Varela, 38, is charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body in the death of his wife, Lina Guerra, 39.
- Police found Guerra’s remains in a freezer inside the couple’s Norfolk apartment during a Feb. 5 search; the medical examiner ruled the case a homicide on Feb. 10.
- An affidavit states investigators believe Varela flew to Hong Kong around Feb. 5, with emergency WhatsApp data returning location pings from the city.
- Norfolk prosecutors have engaged Interpol and are coordinating with NCIS, the FBI and Homeland Security as they seek to locate Varela and secure his return.
- Relatives describe Varela as controlling and abusive, and court records contradict his messages to family claiming Guerra was jailed for shoplifting.