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 popular tourist destination with a friend when she was attacked and killed by Troy P. Bohling, a 30-year-old American man.[2]
Victims
editEva 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
editGermany'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
editBohling 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.
The Kempten Regional Court said the 31-year-old American, raped and murdered the 21-year-old student and also attempted to murder her 22-year-old friend. According to the court, he is fully responsible and culpable.
The judge also decided that the accused bears particularly severe guilt, meaning that he won’t be eligible for parole after 15 years as is usually the case in Germany.[7]
Reception
editThe murder of Liu shocked both the United States and Germany, highlighting the tragic and senseless nature of the crime.[8]
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.
- ^ "Michigan man sentenced to life in German prison for murder, rape of American tourist near famed castle | Fox News". www.foxnews.com. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-26.