A man attacked two American tourists near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, which is considered the most visited palace in Germany.
According to The Telegraph, the two women encountered the man on Marienbrücke Bridge overlooking the world-famous castle, and they walked together on the path leading to an observation platform.
At some point, the 30-year-old man, also a U.S. citizen, attempted to sexually assault the 21-year-old woman. When her 22-year-old friend tried to intervene, the attacker strangled her and threw her down a 50-meter ravine. He then strangled the first woman and also pushed her into the ravine, according to the police.
“According to the information available at the moment, an attempt of a sexual crime against the 21-year-old was carried out,” the police statement says.
The suspect was captured after a large-scale police operation involving 25 vehicles on the same day and was taken to the police station in the neighboring town of Füssen.
When rescuers found the two women, the 22-year-old girl was injured but able to speak. She is currently hospitalized with injuries described as serious. The 21-year-old girl was airlifted to the hospital, where she died the same night.
The police are investigating the attack as a murder, attempted murder, and sexual violence.
Neuschwanstein Castle, located approximately 65 miles southwest of Munich, is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It attracts around 1.4 million visitors annually, and during the summer months, the castle welcomes an average of over 6,000 people per day.
