American man convicted of murder and assault near Neuschwanstein castle, sentenced to life in prison

In a gruesome incident that shocked Germany last summer, an American man has been convicted of murder and other charges for brutally attacking two American women near the famed Neuschwanstein castle. The attack resulted in the fatal injury of one of the victims.

Sentenced to Life in Prison

The 31-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison by the Kempten state court. Additionally, he was convicted of attempted murder and rape with fatal consequences. The presiding judge, Christoph Schwiebacher, stated that the defendant bears particularly severe guilt, indicating that he is unlikely to be eligible for release after the standard 15-year period in Germany.

Victims and Legal Proceedings

Under German privacy laws, the identities of the perpetrator and the victims were not disclosed by the authorities. However, it is known that the victims were recent graduates of the University of Illinois. The younger victim, 21-year-old Eva Liu, tragically succumbed to her injuries, while her friend Kelsey Chang, 22, survived the brutal assault.

Details of the Attack

The attack occurred on June 14 near the Marienbruecke, a bridge that provides a picturesque view of the castle, a popular tourist destination in Germany. Prosecutors revealed that the suspect encountered the two women by chance on a hiking path and subsequently lured them off the trail. He then proceeded to assault the victims.

Reports from prosecutors suggest that the assailant first forced the younger woman to the ground and attempted to undress her. When the older woman intervened, a struggle ensued, leading to the suspect pushing her down a steep slope, resulting in severe injuries but ultimately surviving the fall.