A 31-year-old American suspected of attacking two US tourists near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria has been charged, media reports. Shortly after the incident, police reported that the man convinced the women to follow him, attacked them, and then pushed them down a steep embankment.
The German prosecutor’s office has charged the American with murder, attempted murder and rape in connection with the attack that the 31-year-old allegedly committed near Neuschwanstein Castle in June this year – the BBC reported on Thursday, adding that if the man is convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Prosecutors quoted by Deutsche Welle said that the 31-year-old is suspected of pushing two American tourists down a steep slope on a mountain trail. According to DW, the date of the court hearing has not yet been set.
Attack near Neuschwanstein Castle
21-year-old tourist from USA and her friend, who is a year older, were attacked on June 14 while climbing near the Marienbrücke Bridge, from which you can see Neuschwanstein Castle – said the police in a statement published a day later. Later, the services indicated that the women met a compatriot on the trail who was supposed to convince them to follow him along a hidden path leading to a viewpoint. After going down the path, the man allegedly “physically attacked” the 21-year-old woman, then started choking the 22-year-old woman who rushed to help her friend, and then pushed her down a steep escarpment. When he was alone with the younger woman, he allegedly tried to sexually abuse her. Later, he was also supposed to push her into the abyss.
Neuschwanstein Castle Shutterstock
The services reached both attacked people. The younger one was transported by helicopter to hospital, she died at night. The older one was conscious and there was contact with her. She was also taken to hospital. Police did not provide detailed information about her injuries. The 31-year-old was arrested by the police shortly after the incident near the scene.
Shortly after the attack, CNN reported that the victims, Eva Liu, 21, and Kelsey Chang, 22, graduated from the University of Urbana-Champaign in Illinois in May. – Our university family mourns the senseless death of Ms. Liu and the attack on Ms. Chang, said Robin Kaler, deputy rector of the university, quoted by the station. “They both just graduated and should be celebrating now,” she added.
BBC, Deutsche Welle, tvn24.pl
Main photo source: Shutterstock