A 19-year-old university student in Arizona, named as Julissa Salzar, was allegedly strangled to death by her boyfriend, Varun Batchigari, who then fled the United States for Germany, according to police. Investigators say the sophomore had been planning to end the relationship, which she reportedly described to friends as abusive, shortly before her death.

Police believe the attack took place as the young woman prepared to break off the relationship, though the full circumstances of the killing have not been detailed. Batchigari is said to have left the country for Germany in the aftermath, prompting an international element to the investigation as authorities work to establish his whereabouts and pursue his return to face charges.