'She Was the Pillar of Our Family': Loved Ones Speak Out After Norfolk Woman Found Dead in Freezer

In the aftermath of a shocking discovery that left authorities and family members horrified, Lina M. Guerra's family has broken their silence about the tragedy that started with her disappearance, and ended terribly in her death.

Lina M. Guerra, 39, who was reported missing by her brother when he had not heard from her in weeks, was found lifeless inside a freezer in her Icon Norfolk Apartments home on East Main Street on 5 February, per People. Guerra's death was ruled a homicide after the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy.​

Norfolk Police then charged Guerra's husband, David Varela, with first-degree murder, though detectives of the case have yet to reveal the suspect's motive, or the circumstances leading to the incident, according to a Norfolk police statement issued on 12 February. Varela is reportedly on the run, with authorities alleging he has flown out of the country.

​Of Betrayal and A Lost Loved One

In an interview, Guerra's relatives in Colombia told News 3 that Varela lied to them about her whereabouts before her disappearance, staging a false detention, and even sending them a photo of the victim in an orange jumpsuit.

He had told them she was being held on shoplifting charges and said he was extremely worried about her.

​However, authorities found no record of Guerra's incarceration or any shoplifting reports. Paola Ramirez, Guerra's sister-in-law who is currently residing in Colombia, said Varela was a suspicious husband who didn't allow her to work, have friends, study, or go out alone.

She told News 3, 'I want to emphasise that there had been violence before from David. He had hit her previously, but she didn't tell us because she didn't want to worry us.'

Ramirez also said that they didn't expect an incident this terrible to happen, given Varela's calm and religious demeanour. The victim was described by her family as 'empathetic, loving, and always worried about others.' Ramirez said, 'Lina was the pillar of our family. She put others above herself. She was very loved and adventurous, hardworking, very humble.'

Elizabeth Echavarria, the victim's aunt, told the press, overcome with grief in this ordeal, 'It's awful he took my little girl away.'

The Manhunt Continues

It was later confirmed by Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi that aside from the charges Varela is facing, which are first-degree murder and concealing a dead body, he's also facing charges for fleeing.

He said, 'He is also now charged with the federal crime of fleeing across state or federal lines to avoid arrest or prosecution.' Fatehi is reportedly looking to extradite Varela back to Virginia, where he will face the charges against him.

Authorities revealed that Varela, a US Navy active reservist, was reportedly not responding to his immediate supervisor's calls, a behaviour that was later tagged as 'unusual.'

With help from the government, detectives found out that Varela had been on a flight headed to Hong Kong 'on or about 5 February 2026,' based on location data from the mobile phone app, WhatsApp.

Varela was found to have family in Colombia, but no ties to Hong Kong or China could be established, as shared by Law and Crime.

As of this writing, the police department are still accepting anonymous tips regarding Guerra's death, as well as encouraging the public to register their public cameras to Connect Norfolk to help support active investigations and find missing people.