Navy reservist accused in wife's murder arrested after international manhunt

U.S. U.S. Navy reservist accused of murdering wife arrested after international manhunt, FBI says By Emily Mae Czachor Emily Mae Czachor News Editor Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She typically covers breaking news, extreme weather and issues involving social justice. Emily Mae previously wrote for outlets like the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek. Read Full Bio Emily Mae Czachor Updated on: April 16, 2026 / 12:01 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google 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." Lina Guerra Norfolk Police Department 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.But Varela, on active duty as a Navy reservist, had fled the country by the time charges were filed. Authorities said he flew to Hong Kong on Feb. 4 — the same day a missing person report was filed for Guerra — according to WTKR, which cited an FBI affidavit.Va...