A US man has been charged with murder, rape, and attempted murder in connection with a fatal attack that occurred near Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany back in June.
The 31-year-old suspect, who has not been publicly identified, could face a life sentence if found guilty.
Prosecutors allege that the suspect lured two American women, aged 21 and 22, off the trail and sexually assaulted the younger woman. When her friend attempted to intervene, a struggle ensued, and both women were later pushed into a deep ravine. Tragically, the 21-year-old victim succumbed to her injuries, while her older friend survived the ordeal.
Neuschwanstein Castle, located in Bavaria in southern Germany, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually. Situated approximately 78 miles from Munich, the castle was constructed in the 19th century to serve as a royal residence but was never occupied.
Prosecutors from the nearby town of Kempten stated that the attack occurred on June 14, shortly after the suspect encountered the two women near the Marienbrücke bridge, a popular viewpoint used by tourists to admire the castle. He convinced them to follow him onto a hidden trail, claiming that the path to the bridge was challenging to navigate.
According to the prosecutors, the suspect forcibly subdued the 21-year-old, undressed her, and engaged in sexual acts. When her 22-year-old friend attempted to intervene, he pushed her down the slope, causing her to fall approximately 164 feet and sustain multiple injuries, although she survived.
The suspect is accused of strangling the younger woman and sexually assaulting her before pushing her down the slope, leading to her tragic death. Later that day, following an extensive police manhunt involving more than 25 vehicles, the suspect was apprehended.
An American tourist who witnessed the arrest described the suspect as having scratches on his face as he walked with the police, according to the Associated Press news agency. Photo by Preetam Chakraborty, Wikimedia commons.