Lina Guerra, the 39-year-old Norfolk woman reported missing at the beginning of February, was killed by blunt head trauma and asphyxiation, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The medical examiner ruled Guerra’s manner of death a homicide, confirming the ruling of Norfolk police on Feb. 11. Her husband, 38-year-old David Varela, was charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body after police found Guerra’s remains in the freezer of their downtown Norfolk apartment on Feb. 5 after police executed a search warrant.
Previous coverage: Lina Guerra’s body was found in the kitchen freezer — as her husband flew to Hong Kong
Lina Guerra’s body was found in the kitchen freezer — as her husband flew to Hong Kong
Police also say Varela flew to Hong Kong on Feb. 5, the day after Guerra was reported missing. Norfolk Police are working with NCIS, Homeland Security and the FBI in the search for Varela, who is a reservist on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Authorities have not reached him since his departure…