A man in Kempten, Germany, has confessed to the rape and murder of a woman near the Neuschwanstein Castle, a famous landmark that inspired the Disney Castle. The 31-year-old defendant made the admission at the beginning of his trial in southern Germany. The incident occurred in June of last year when the man allegedly met two American women, aged 21 and 22, near the castle, which is one of Germany’s most well-known attractions.
According to prosecutors, the trio was near the Marienbruecke, a bridge that offers views of the castle, when the man lured the women away from the trail. He is accused of forcing the younger woman to the ground and attempting to undress her. When the other woman tried to intervene, the suspect allegedly pushed her down a steep slope. Although she fell about 165 feet (50 meters), she survived the fall.
The man is then said to have strangled the younger woman until she lost consciousness and proceeded to rape her. Prosecutors believe she was killed when she was pushed down the slope. Neuschwanstein, located in Bavaria, southern Germany, served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, California, and the Cinderella Castle in Disneyworld, Florida.
In addition to the charges of murder and rape, the defendant is also facing accusations of attempted murder and possession of child pornography. Prosecutors claim that a laptop and phones belonging to the man contained child sexual abuse material. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the man himself did not formally enter pleas to the charges, as is customary in German court proceedings. Instead, he confirmed what his lawyer had stated and declined to answer any questions. A verdict is anticipated to be announced in mid-March at the earliest, with the man potentially facing a life sentence if found guilty.