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Manhunt Launched for Navy Reservist Suspected of Fleeing to Hong Kong After Wife’s Murder in Virginia
Authorities are actively searching for a Navy reservist who is believed to have escaped to Hong Kong following the discovery of his wife’s body concealed inside a freezer at their residence in Norfolk, Virginia.
Tragic Discovery and Investigation Details
Lina Guerra, aged 39, was found deceased on February 5 in the freezer of the apartment she shared with her husband, David Varela, 28. The grim discovery came shortly after her brother reported her missing, having lost contact with her since January 16, according to WAVY News.
An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on February 10 confirmed that Guerra’s death was a homicide. Subsequently, Norfolk Police charged Varela with first-degree murder and tampering with a corpse to obstruct detection.
Suspicious Behavior and Flight to Hong Kong
Varela’s superiors noted his unusual silence after multiple attempts to reach him went unanswered, raising alarms within his chain of command. Investigations involving Homeland Security, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the FBI revealed that Varela likely boarded a flight to Hong Kong around February 5, 2026. An affidavit obtained by WAVY states there is probable cause to believe he fled Virginia to evade prosecution.
Further emergency requests to WhatsApp uncovered location data placing Varela in Hong Kong. Despite having family ties in Colombia, NCIS confirmed that Varela has no known connections to Hong Kong or China.
Family’s Heartbreak and False Claims
Guerra’s relatives, devastated by her death, shared their grief from Colombia. Her aunt, Elizabeth Echavarria, recounted how Guerra and Varela met in Florida years ago and married soon after. During the two weeks Guerra was missing, Varela misled her family by claiming she had been arrested for shoplifting and even sent a photo purportedly showing her in an orange prison jumpsuit.
However, court records confirm that Guerra was never charged or convicted of any such offense. Paola Ramirez, Guerra’s sister-in-law, revealed that Varela messaged her expressing deep sorrow over his wife’s alleged incarceration, stating he “has not stopped crying” and “hasn’t eaten in more than a day.”
Allegations of Domestic Abuse and Control
Relatives disclosed longstanding concerns about Guerra’s safety, alleging that Varela exhibited violent and controlling behavior. Ramirez stated that Varela had previously physically abused Guerra, though she kept it secret to avoid worrying her family. She described Varela as outwardly religious and calm, which made the shocking events even more unexpected.
Varela’s Military Background and Extradition Concerns
David Varela enlisted in the Navy in 2007 and served across at least six states, earning multiple commendations during his tenure, according to 13 News Now. Navy public affairs officer Ed Booth expressed apprehension that Varela chose Hong Kong as a refuge because the extradition treaty between the United States and Hong Kong has been suspended since August 2020.
Booth explained, “If someone wanted to buy time and avoid immediate law enforcement pursuit, fleeing to Hong Kong could be a strategic move. While crimes like murder are illegal everywhere, the lack of an active extradition agreement complicates bringing suspects back to the U.S. for trial.”
Ongoing Search and Community Impact
Law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to locate Varela, urging anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, Guerra’s family mourns the loss of a woman whose life was tragically cut short, hoping for justice and closure in the coming months.
