Missing Woman's Body Discovered in Kitchen Freezer

A Virginia woman reported missing for weeks was found dead inside the kitchen freezer of her own apartment, and her husband — an active-duty Navy reservist — is now charged with her murder.

Lina Guerra, 39, was reported missing on Feb. 2, 2026, after her brother in Colombia told authorities he had not heard from her and feared something was wrong. On Feb. 5, Norfolk police executed a search warrant at the downtown apartment she shared with her husband, 38-year-old David Varela, and discovered her remains hidden inside the freezer, according to ABC affiliate reporting and The Virginian-Pilot.

Investigators say Varela had already left the country by then.

A False Story and a Sudden Flight

According to reporting from ABC7 Chicago, Varela told Guerra’s family that she had been jailed for shoplifting — a claim authorities later determined was not true.

Police say Guerra was never arrested and had not been in custody. Instead, her body was inside the apartment she shared with her husband.

Authorities allege that Varela stopped responding to his Navy supervisor and boarded a flight to Hong Kong the day after her disappearance. By the time officers located Guerra’s body, he was overseas.

He has since been charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body.

Who Lina Guerra Was

Family members described Guerra as a Colombian national who had been living in Norfolk. Her brother was the one who first alerted police when weeks passed without contact.

According to statements cited in local reporting, relatives said they became increasingly concerned after receiving unusual messages and explanations about her whereabouts.

They also described Varela as controlling and physically abusive, allegations that are now part of the broader investigation. Authorities have not publicly detailed any prior domestic violence reports.

For her family, the discovery confirmed their worst fears. What began as unanswered phone calls ended in a crime scene inside her own home.

Federal Agencies Join the Search

With Varela believed to be in Hong Kong, the case has taken on an international dimension.

The FBI, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Homeland Security Investigations are all involved in efforts to locate and extradite him back to the United States, according to officials cited in media reports.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that Varela is an active-duty reservist assigned as an electrician. Officials have not commented publicly beyond confirming his service status.

Extradition proceedings can be complex and lengthy, particularly in homicide cases involving international travel. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when Varela could be returned to Virginia.

A Community Confronts the Allegations

The details of the case have shaken Norfolk residents, particularly the revelation that Guerra’s body remained inside the apartment for days while relatives searched for answers.

Police have not released information about how long she had been dead before her body was found. They also have not disclosed a suspected motive.

Under U.S. law, Varela is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Prosecutors will be required to present evidence supporting the charges if and when he is returned to face trial.

For Guerra’s family, the focus remains on the woman they lost. Loved ones have described her as someone who maintained close ties to Colombia and regularly communicated with relatives abroad.

The image of a missing woman hidden inside her own kitchen freezer — while her husband allegedly misled her family and fled overseas — has left many grappling with both grief and disbelief.

As investigators continue their work across international borders, one family waits for answers, and a quiet Norfolk apartment building stands at the center of a case that has now drawn global attention.

References: Navy Husband Charged With Murder After Wife Found in Kitchen Freezer | Lina Guerra Murder: Norfolk Man Charged After Wife Found Dead