- Tragic Incident near Neuschwanstein Castle
- Suspect Detained and Charges Filed
- Neuschwanstein Castle and Its Legacy
Two women have allegedly shoved down a ravine near the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which is credited with inspiring Walt Disney. Additionally, police are investigating a potential sexual assault.
A U.S. citizen was detained after a tourist fell to her death near a German beauty spot said to have inspired the design of a famous Disney castle.
Wednesday, two 21- and 22-year-old women were allegedly forced down a ravine near the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
The suspect, a 30-year-old male tourist, is believed to have lured the two women from a hiking trail near the Marienbruecke Bridge, which affords a famous view of the castle.
Initially, he purportedly attacked the younger woman.
When her companion attempted to intervene, he allegedly began choking her and then pushed her down a steep slope.
Police believe that the offender then resumed his assault on his younger victim and sexually assaulted her.
He is then suspected of pushing her down the slope as well, resulting in both women plummeting approximately 50 meters and landing close to one another.
The man escaped the scene but was quickly apprehended nearby.
After Wednesday afternoon’s alleged attacks, a mountain rescue team found the women and helicoptered them to a hospital.
The 21-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries overnight, as reported on Thursday.
The 22-year-old is still receiving treatment, but is reportedly “responsive.”
Following Thursday’s judicial appearance in Kempten, the suspect is being held in custody.
The suspect is under investigation for murder, attempted murder, and a sexual offense.
The police have issued a call for any witnesses to come forward as they attempt to reconstruct exactly what transpired.
Neuschwanstein, 105 kilometres from Munich in southern Bavaria, is a popular German tourist destination.
According to the castle’s website, approximately 1.4 million people visit annually, or approximately 6,000 people daily during the summer.
The site is well-known for inspiring American filmmaker Walt Disney, who drew inspiration from it when designing Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in California.
