crime
Act of violence at Neuschwanstein – trial begins
Tourists on the Marienbrücke in front of Neuschwanstein Castle. photo
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
It was a crime that caused horror around the globe: a US vacationer is said to have attacked two tourists at Neuschwanstein Castle, and one woman died. Now the man has to go to court.
After the violent crime against two American tourists not far from The trial against a compatriot of the two victims begins at Neuschwanstein Castle. The 31-year-old must answer for murder and rape resulting in death as well as attempted murder before the Kempten regional court.
The public prosecutor’s office accuses the man of brutally attacking the two women for sexual reasons on June 14, 2023, while they were hiking near the Marienbrücke in Schwangau. The bridge is a popular meeting point for holidaymakers because from there you have a particularly good view of the fairytale castle of Bavaria’s King Ludwig II.
After the attack, a 21-year-old died and her companion, who was one year older, was seriously injured. The American is said to have strangled and raped the younger woman, and is also said to have pushed both victims down a slope approximately 50 meters deep. The defendant’s defense stated that it did not want to comment on the allegations ahead of the trial.
The crime was reported all over the world
The case made headlines around the world. Vacationers who were on or near the bridge during the crime observed the two women being rescued from the gorge by helicopter and the suspect being arrested. Video recordings of this were widely shared on social networks.
With around one and a half million guests per year, Neuschwanstein is one of the best-known and most visited tourist magnets in the Federal Republic. As a result of the corona pandemic, the number of visitors has recently declined.
The alleged perpetrator and victim did not know each other beforehand
According to the investigation, the two women and the man from the USA are said to have met by chance when they were vacationing; they did not know each other before. According to the prosecution, the accused then lured the women to a secluded path. There he is said to have thrown the 21-year-old to the ground and choked her. When her friend intervened, the man pushed the then 22-year-old woman into the ravine. She suffered numerous injuries as a result of the fall.
The defendant is then said to have continued to choke and rape the 21-year-old. Two witnesses are said to have surprised the man during the crime, so that he let go of the woman. The man is then said to have thrown the younger victim down the almost 50 meter deep slope. The 21-year-old died in hospital a few hours later.
The court has initially planned six days of hearings for the trial. The verdict could therefore be announced in mid-March.