Kempten, Germany – A man has confessed to the rape and murder of a woman near the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. The 31-year-old suspect, who can’t be named under German law, made the admission at the beginning of his trial in Kempten, southern Germany.
The defendant allegedly encountered two American women, aged 21 and 22, near the famous castle in June of the previous year. Prosecutors claim that the trio was near the Marienbruecke, a bridge offering stunning views of the castle, when the horrific incident occurred.
According to the prosecution, the man lured the women away from the trail, leading to a violent confrontation. He is accused of trying to undress the younger woman, and when the other woman tried to intervene, he allegedly pushed her down a steep slope. Miraculously, she survived the fall of approximately 165 feet (50 meters).
Tragically, the man then purportedly strangled the younger woman before raping her. Prosecutors allege that the woman was subsequently killed when she was pushed down the slope. The trial has also brought to light additional charges against the defendant, including attempted murder and possession of child pornography.
Neuschwanstein Castle, located in Bavaria, southern Germany, is believed to have inspired the iconic Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Castles at Disneyland and Disneyworld. The defendant’s defense lawyer described the crimes as “unfathomable.”
In the German legal system, defendants do not formally enter pleas to charges. The man confirmed his defense lawyer’s statements but did not respond to questions. A verdict in the case is not expected until at least mid-March, with the man facing a potential sentence of life in prison.