An American man was arrested in Germany on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and a sexual offense, according to multiple reports, after he allegedly assaulted two other U.S. tourists—one of whom died—near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Multiple outlets are reporting an American man was arrested after allegedly pushed two women off a ... [+]
A 21-year-old woman was reportedly on a hike near the famous castle Wednesday with a friend, 22, when they met a 30-year-old man who offered to show them a secret viewpoint and led them down a private path.
The man then “physically attacked” the younger woman, police said, and when the other woman intervened he pushed her down a slope then tried to sexually assault the 21-year-old before pushing her, as well, the Associated Press reported.
Both women were rescued by a mountain rescue team and taken to the hospital; the older woman was “responsive” but the younger had “serious injuries” and died overnight, multiple outlets reported.
The man—who has not yet been named—fled the scene before being arrested, according to police.
He appeared in court Thursday, where the judge issued an arrest warrant and he was taken into custody; BBC reported that a public prosecutor told reporters “the investigation into the incident was just beginning” and asked any witnesses to come forward with information.
Neuschwanstein, a castle built in the 19th century, is one of Germany’s most popular tourist spots. American tourist murders—or their alleged involvement in murders—abroad haven’t been a rare occurrence in the last few decades, and they tend to draw lots of media attention. In 2021, an American tourist was killed in Puerto Rico after buying drugs near San Juan, a popular destination for tourism. In 2007, Amanda Knox—an American student studying abroad in Italy—was arrested and jailed for years in relation to the murder of her roommate in a case that captivated U.S. media, but was later exonerated.
American man arrested in Germany after woman killed near Neuschwanstein Castle tourist spot (CBS News)
American arrested for pushing 2 US tourists into ravine at German castle, leaving one woman dead (AP)