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Woman Found Dead in Norfolk Freezer
18 Feb
Summary
- Missing woman found deceased inside her kitchen freezer.
- Husband, a Navy Reservist, fled to Hong Kong.
- Man charged with murder and concealing a body.
Lina M. Guerra, 39, was found deceased inside the freezer of her Norfolk home on February 5, according to court documents. Her brother had reported her missing on February 2 after being unable to contact her for over two weeks. Norfolk police discovered her body while executing a search warrant at her residence, which she shared with her husband, David Varela, 38.
Varela, an active duty U.S. Navy Reservist, was charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body. The FBI affidavit indicates that Varela fled the United States on a flight to Hong Kong on the same day Guerra's body was discovered. WhatsApp location data has linked him to Hong Kong, though he has no apparent ties to the region. He has not reported for duty, and his supervisor noted this behavior was unusual.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to apprehend and prosecute Varela, who is believed to be overseas. The motive behind the alleged murder remains unclear, and Guerra's autopsy results were pending as of February 12. The couple had married two years prior after meeting in Florida.
