Navy Reservist Accused of Murdering Wife, Fleeing to Hong Kong After Freezer Discovery
A manhunt is underway for a Navy reservist feared to have fled to Hong Kong after police discovered the body of his missing wife stuffed inside a freezer at their Virginia home in the United States. The case has sent shockwaves through the community and raised international legal concerns.
Discovery of the Body and Investigation Details
Lina Guerra, 39, was found deceased inside a freezer in the Norfolk apartment she shared with her husband, David Varela, 28, on February 5, 2026. This grim discovery came days after her brother reported her missing when her family had not heard from her since January 16. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on February 10 ruled her death a homicide, confirming foul play.
The Norfolk Police Department has since charged Varela with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body to prevent detection. Investigators noted that the accused killer failed to answer repeated calls from his chain of command, with superiors telling detectives this behavior was highly unusual for him, adding to suspicions of his involvement.
International Manhunt and Legal Hurdles
Investigators with Homeland Security, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the FBI believe Varela fled on a flight to Hong Kong "on or about February 5, 2026." According to an affidavit, there is "probable cause to believe that David Varela has fled the Commonwealth of Virginia in an attempt to avoid prosecution." Emergency disclosure requests to WhatsApp later revealed location data pinging from Hong Kong, further supporting this theory.
NCIS stated that Varela has family in Colombia but "does not have any discernible ties to Hong Kong or China," raising questions about his choice of destination. Ed Booth, a Navy public affairs officer, highlighted growing concerns that Varela may have fled to Hong Kong because the extradition treaty with the United States has been suspended since August 2020.
"If you needed to buy yourself some time to where law enforcement was not going to be looking for you, this was a way to do it," Booth explained. "You can’t murder people in Hong Kong, you can’t murder people in the United States, so you’ve got that, but you don’t have a treaty in place for mutual extradition from one country to the other."
Family's Grief and Allegations of Prior Abuse
As investigators continue to search for Varela, Guerra’s family is devastated by her death. Her aunt, Elizabeth Echavarria, spoke from Colombia, noting that the couple met in Florida years ago and married soon after. During the two weeks Guerra was missing, Varela told her family in Colombia that she had been arrested and jailed on shoplifting charges, even sending a photo claiming to show her in an orange jumpsuit behind bars.
Relatives revealed that Varela messaged them, saying he "has not stopped crying" and "hasn’t eaten in more than a day" over his wife’s supposed incarceration. However, court records confirm Guerra was never charged or convicted of shoplifting, exposing his deception.
Guerra’s sister-in-law, Paola Ramirez, alleged that the family had long feared for her safety, claiming Varela had been violent and jealous, preventing her from working, having friends, studying, or going out alone. "I want to emphasize that there had been violence before from David," Ramirez stated. "He had hit her previously, but she didn’t tell us because she didn’t want to worry us. He appeared to be very religious, very calm, normal, that’s why this is so shocking; we never imagined he’d do something like this."
Background of the Accused and Ongoing Search
Varela served in at least six states after enlisting in the Navy in 2007, where he received multiple awards and decorations, according to reports. This background contrasts sharply with the heinous allegations now facing him. Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate him, leveraging international cooperation despite the extradition challenges.
The case underscores broader issues of domestic violence and legal complexities in cross-border crimes. As the manhunt persists, Guerra’s family mourns her loss while hoping for justice in a case that has captured national and international attention.
