19 February 2024 , 12:21
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An American man has admitted to the rape and murder of a 21-year-old tourist he shoved down a 165-foot ravine near a famous fairy-tale castle as he appeared in court in Germany today.
Troy Bohling lured Eva Liu, and her friend Kelsey Chang, 22, to a hiking trail near a “Cinderella” castle, Neuschwanstein castle, in Bavaria.
Bohling, then 30, also attempted to kill Chang, an American citizen, who had been hiking in June when they met him, who offered to take them to a viewpoint, before he pushed Liu to the floor and raped and strangled her.
He pushed Chang off the slope after a scuffle ensued, and then strangled Liu and pushed her, unconscious down the same slope. Chang was able to speak when mountain rescue workers found the two women, even thoughts she was seriously injured. Tragically later that night after she was taken by helicopter to hospital she died of her injuries.
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Kelsey Chang had graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before her friend died (Facebook)
Eva Liu died in the attack (Linkedin/Eva Liu)Defence lawyer Philip Mueller said in a statement: ''The defendant has committed an unfathomable crime.'' In line with German law the defendant, whose name hasn't been released did not submit a plea before trial but confirmed that his lawyer's statement was correct.
Local news outlet, the Daily Bild reported that Bohling filmed part of his attack before his arrest tool place in front of hundreds of tourists.
She was thrown to her death at Germany’s 'Cinderella' castle (Instagram)Lincoln Park, Michigan, resident Bohling was filmed by other tourists who witnessed the assault as he was arrested. Police seized his laptop and mobile phone where they found child abuse imagery. Following German law Bohling has not been officially identified by police, but his name has been confirmed by sources.
Bohling has been remanded in custody under German law. A spokesman for prosecutors said charges of murder, rape resulting in death, attempted murder with grievous bodily harm, and possession of child pornography will be put before the court.
Eva was walking near the famous Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria (Linkedin)Police spokesman Holger Stabik told the Associated Press at the time: “The younger of the two women was attacked by the suspect. The older one tried to rush to her aid, was then choked by the suspect and subsequently pushed down a slope.”
According to the statement, Bohling then raped and strangled Liu according and threw her body into the ravine where she then slammed into the tree.
Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria (Getty Images)Ms Liu and Ms Chang were on a European trip after their graduation from University of Illinois. Their college confirmed Liu’s tragic death.
Bohling lived in a single-storey house 20 minutes from Detroit, with his brother Trevor. He was described by neighbours as “quiet”, with one saying he “would never look you down in the eye when he came and went”. The neighbour added: “I’m shocked what he’s been accused of,” the neighbour went on, “I’m scared he may have done stuff here and no one has figured it out yet.”