Navy reservist accused of killing his wife, hiding her body in a freezer and fleeing the country has been denied bond after prosecutors revealed chilling new allegations in court.
David Varela, 38, appeared in court on June 4 in Norfolk, Virginia, where prosecutors argued he should remain behind bars while awaiting trial in the death of his wife, 39-year-old Lina Maria Guerra Echavarria.
Varela is charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body.
During the hearing, prosecutors alleged that Guerra may have still been alive when she was placed inside a freezer in the couple’s apartment.
According to local reports, prosecutors said Guerra’s head had been wrapped seven times in plastic. An autopsy reportedly found she died from blunt-force trauma and asphyxiation.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said the medical examiner could not determine exactly when Guerra died.
“The medical examiner cannot say for sure when Miss Guerra died, whether it was before she went into the freezer or afterwards,” Fatehi said, according to WAVY.
Guerra was first reported missing by her brother on Feb. 2. Three days later, investigators found her body inside a kitchen freezer at the couple’s Norfolk apartment.
According to an arrest affidavit, officers discovered Guerra’s frozen body inside a black trash bag. Her death was later ruled a homicide.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily Woodley alleged that Varela caused blunt-force trauma to Guerra, wrapped her head multiple times in plastic wrap and then placed her body in the freezer, according to 13News Now.
Prosecutors also described what they claim were Varela’s attempts to mislead Guerra’s family and escape authorities.
They alleged Varela told Guerra’s brother that she had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Prosecutors also claimed he sent the brother a doctored image that appeared to show Guerra wearing a jail uniform.
Authorities said Varela then rented a vehicle, drove to New York and boarded a flight to Hong Kong.
According to WTKR, Varela stayed in Hong Kong for more than two months before allegedly trying to board a flight to Russia. Prosecutors argued that alleged attempt made him a serious flight risk.
Varela’s attorney pushed back, saying his client has no criminal history and continues to maintain his innocence. The defense asked for bond so Varela could stay with his mother in Florida while awaiting trial.
The judge denied the request, ruling that Varela posed both a danger to the community and a flight risk.
After the hearing, defense attorney Carter Kovalcheck said Varela “is steadfast in maintaining his innocence and will allow the court process to take its course,” according to 13News Now.
Varela is scheduled to return to court on July 21 for a preliminary hearing.
