An American man has been apprehended by authorities following a deadly assault at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Tragically, a 21-year-old woman lost her life after being attacked and thrown from a hill at the historic castle in southern Germany on Wednesday.
According to prosecutors, the victim, who remains unidentified, succumbed to her injuries during the night after being forcefully propelled 50 meters into a gorge. Another woman, aged 22 and known to be a friend of the deceased, is currently hospitalized with severe injuries after bravely attempting to intervene and stop the assailant.
Law enforcement officials reported that the suspect, a 30-year-old tourist from the United States, initially fled the scene but was later captured on Wednesday as a result of an extensive manhunt involving over 25 vehicles. He was apprehended and taken to a police station in the nearby Bavarian town of Fuessen.
Police revealed in a statement that they believe the man encountered the two women, both reportedly American citizens, on a trail near the Marienbrücke bridge—a popular viewpoint utilized by tourists to admire the castle. The suspect allegedly led them to a secluded trail, claiming that the route to the bridge was difficult to navigate, and subsequently launched the assault on the 21-year-old woman.
Bavarian police stated, “When the 22-year-old wanted to intervene, he choked her and then pushed her down a steep slope.” They also added that there are grounds to suspect “an attempted sexual offense against the 21-year-old.”
The critically injured 21-year-old victim was airlifted to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries. Her friend, who is reportedly in a serious condition, was conscious when discovered by the authorities.
The suspect appeared in court at the Kempten District on Thursday, where an arrest warrant was issued by the investigating judge, leading to his subsequent detention.
Thomas Hormann, a senior public prosecutor, informed the press that the investigation into this tragic incident is still in its early stages.
Neuschwanstein Castle is an immensely popular tourist destination in Germany, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually according to the Bavarian finance ministry. Situated approximately 126 kilometers (78 miles) from Munich, it was constructed in the 19th century and served as the primary residence for regional rulers.