Pictured: US woman, 21, killed after she was pushed down castle ravine - as friend, 22, saved by tree

16 June 2023, 19:46 | Updated: 16 June 2023, 22:48

The pair were pushed off a trail near the Marienbrücke bridge.
The pair were pushed off a trail near the Marienbrücke bridge. Picture: social media/getty

By Jenny Medlicott

A woman who was killed after a US tourist threw her into a gorge with a 300ft drop outside a German castle has been identified as a Computer Science graduate from Illinois.

Eva Liu, 21, has been identified as the woman who fell to her death after she was pushed into a ravine during a trip to Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria.

The 21-year-old was with her friend, Kelsey Chang, 22, at the time who was also pushed but incredibly survived as new footage shows a fallen tree stopped her from falling fully into the depths of the gorge.

They were on the Marienbrücke bridge earlier that day, which spans a ravine near the castle before the attack. It has a 300ft drop.

They were attacked by a 30-year-old man who was also a US tourist. It is believed the man sexually assaulted Ms Liu before a scuffle broke out when Ms Chang rushed to her aid. The man then reportedly choked Ms Chang and threw both of them over the railing and into the gorge below.

A statement from chancellor, Robin Kaler, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) confirmed the pair both graduated from the university last month.

She said: “Our University of Illinois family is mourning the senseless death of Ms. Liu and the attack on Ms Chang.

“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.”

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

The drop from Marienbrücke bridge, near where the pair were pushed.
The drop from Marienbrücke bridge, near where the pair were pushed. Picture: Alamy
Eva Liu was a computer science graduate.
Eva Liu was a computer science graduate. Picture: Linkedin

A video shot by tourists has since emerged shows one of the women, wearing a light blue top, landing where there was a tree at the very top of a steep drop below.

The pair were airlifted into hospital. The 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital but her friend, Ms Chang survived with only minor injuries, which has reportedly been attributed to the tree.

Bavarian Police said that Ms Chang has only suffered light injuries despite the steep drop, MailOnline reported.

They also said the man allegedly persuaded the two to follow him down an isolated path with the promise of a good view of the area before attacking them.

The man believed to be responsible has been detained on charges of murder, attempted murder and one sexual offence. Police said he refused to speak to investigators but “had his say in court”.

In German law to keep an arrested person in custody they must have a hearing before a judge before the end of the day.

Footage showed the man being led from the scene in handcuffs.

Read more: Man 'sexually assaults' woman then throws her and a friend off bridge into ravine at German tourist spot

Read more: Gunman who killed 11 people in US synagogue attack found guilty on 63 charges

Kelsey Chang survived the fall thanks to a fallen tree.
Kelsey Chang survived the fall thanks to a fallen tree. Picture: Facebook

It turns out the pair had also been staying in the same hotel as their attacker, at the budget Seibel Hotel in the centre of Munich, although they did not know the man responsible for the attack.

Ms Chang has made a statement to police and reports suggest she was expecting to be released from hospital on Friday.

A spokesman for Bavarian police told MailOnline: “We couldn't verify yet which US state the suspect is from. Inquiries are still ongoing via German and American authorities.

“The suspect didn't make any comments to police but in his hearing in court yesterday he did have his say in regards to remaining in custody. We don't want to say exactly what he said, however.”

They did add that they have received multiple submissions of video footage from members of the public to to help investigate the incident.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ozempic and Wegovy, injectable prescription weight loss medicines.

Fresh concerns over weight-loss jabs as medication linked to dozens of deaths

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an investigation into the BBC Gaza documentary.

Kemi Badenoch calls for investigation into BBC Gaza documentary featuring grandson of Hamas founder

Chants of “f*** the feds” could be heard as the boys took control of the emergency vehicle.

GenZ mob run riot for TikTok stunt and swarm police cars during ‘free pop-up’ by streetwear clothing brands

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire,

Boy, 15, arrested after school forced into lockdown after student 'behaving aggressively and threatening staff'

The Runcorn and Helsby MP has been sitting as an independent since he was suspended following his arrest in October

MP Mike Amesbury jailed for 10 weeks for punching man in street in 'unprovoked drunken' assault

Speaking via video link to a Kyiv conference, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Britain is ready to commit British troops on the ground in Ukraine in order to maintain peace.

'Russia doesn't hold all the cards', Starmer says, as he tells Ukraine 'we are with you' three years on from invasion

Leanne Lucas has described for the first time the desperate moments when she helped children run to safety

'If I didn't get out, everyone was going to die': Hero yoga teacher tells how she saved children from Southport attacker

Moise Kean was carried into an ambulance after collapsing during Fiorentina’s game against Verona

Moise Kean update after ex-Everton star rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch

Demi Moore, winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for 'The Substance,' appears backstage during the 31st annual SAG Awards

Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet and Conclave cast big winners at the Screen Actors Guild

The former Prime Minister was speaking from Ukraine

Blaming Ukraine for Russian invasion is like accusing swimmers of attacking the shark in Jaws, Boris Johnson tells LBC

Dave Grohl playing a show in New York earlier this month

Mother of Dave Grohl’s love child revealed to be rock ’n’ roll fan 18 years his junior  - after months of secrecy

Pope Francis seen in January

Pope Francis is 'in critical condition with kidney failure' as he continues to battle pneumonia, Vatican says

x

Damp start to the week as winter washout brings further flood warnings to parts of the UK

Cyclists training in Regent's Park

Regent's Park cyclists plagued by violent 'bikejacking' gangs - as police 'say they won't patrol before 8am'

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were found at their home earlier this month

British husband 'likely killed ex-pat wife in France during staged home burglary gone wrong,’ prosecutors say

The Home Office has announced a move to widen travel controls on Kremlin-linked elites.

Kremlin linked elites 'stopped from visiting UK' with new sanctions on third anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine