In Bavaria, near Neuschwanstein Castle, Troy Phillip Bohling, a 31-year-old American tourist from Michigan, admitted to raping and murdering a fellow US hiker during his trial at the District Court in Kempten.
The trial, situated 65 miles southwest of Munich, began with Bohling’s lawyer, Philip Mueller, acknowledging the accused’s “incomprehensible act.”
Bohling was on holiday in Germany when he encountered two female tourists, Eva Liu, 21, and Kelsey Chang, 22, at Neuschwanstein Castle, a popular site attracting over a million tourists annually.
The two victims were concluding a European trip when they slipped on a mountain trail. Bohling offered to guide them to a viewing point for better castle selfies.
[adinserter name="Three"]At this purported romantic spot, Bohling pushed Ms. Liu to the ground and raped her.
[adinserter name="Four"]During the scuffle, Ms. Chang intervened and was pushed into a 165-foot ravine. Bohling continued the assault, later strangling Ms. Liu with a belt while filming the act.
[adinserter name="Two"]A pair of hikers interrupted the crime, leading Bohling to push the unconscious rape victim over the same ledge.
[adinserter name="Five"]Rescue workers found both women at the bottom of the ravine. Ms. Liu, seriously injured, was airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries that night.
[adinserter name="Six"]Remarkably, Ms. Chang survived with injuries, having landed on a tree during her fall.
[adinserter name="One"]Bohling, who had been staying in Oberstor, a nearby town, was arrested after a substantial police operation involving 25 emergency vehicles.
[adinserter name="Seven"]He initially refused to cooperate but later made a statement, acknowledging his awareness that Ms. Liu could die without help, yet he left her behind.
[adinserter name="Eight"]The trial, which includes charges of possessing child pornography, may result in life imprisonment for Bohling. Neuschwanstein Castle, built in the 19th century, stands witness to this tragedy, with the trial scheduled to run until March 13.
