Neuschwanstein murder
Eva Liu was a 21-year-old American student who was murdered on June 14, 2023, near Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.[1] She was visiting the castle with a friend when she was attacked and killed by Troy P. Bohling, a 30-year-old American man.[2]
Victims
[edit]Eva Liu and her friend had graduated from Illinois Math and Science Academy[3] and both Liu and her friend were awarded a BS in Computer Science in May 2023. The school released the following statement: "Our University of Illinois family is mourning the senseless death of Ms. Liu and the attack on Ms. Chang [her friend]. Both had just graduated in May and should have been able to celebrate such an important accomplishment without the fear of such a tragic outcome. Our thoughts are with Ms. Chang as she recovers and with both of their families as they grieve."[4]
Liu's relatives described her as "a bright and inquisitive student with many passions, including baking, travelling, and music".[5]
The attack
[edit]Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle was the two women's last stop of the graduation trip to Germany.[6] The prosecutor said that the two former students' chance encounter with the man who would later attack them was a coincidence. They both slipped at the same spot on the mountain road.[6]
The attacker lured the two friends away from the Marienbruecke bridge, a popular viewpoint for the castle. He led them to a hidden trail, telling them that the way to the bridge was difficult to navigate.[2]
He then shoved Liu to the ground, raping and strangling her before her friend tried to stop him. He pushed her friend into the 50 m (164 ft) deep ravine and continued assaulting Liu, strangling her with a belt and recording it. He then pushed Liu into the same ravine as he was disturbed by hikers.[2]
Liu's friend alerted the authorities. Both women were airlifted by a helicopter to a nearby hospital, but Liu later died of her serious injuries.
Trial and conviction
[edit]Bohling was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with murder and attempted murder. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in February 2024.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "American Woman Dies at Neuschwanstein Castle After Push Down Cliff". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ a b c "Man admits to rape, murder of US tourist in Germany" (in German). www.bbc.com. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "US tourist Eva Liu, 21, mourned after brutal murder at German castle". www.scmp.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Naperville woman Eva Liu killed in attack at Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle; U of I classmate Kelsey Chang injured - ABC7 Chicago" (in German). abc7chicago.com. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Obituary information for Eva Y. Liu" (in German). www.bkfh.care. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ a b "美国凶手认罪：他将两名华裔女大学生推下50米深谷致1死1伤，其中一女生被性侵 (The American murderer pleaded guilty: He pushed two Chinese female college students into a 50-meter-deep valley, killing one and injuring one, and one of the girls was sexually assaulted)" (in Chinese). www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "US man sentenced for murder of tourist by Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle". apnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.