Following a harrowing incident near Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany, the 22-year-old American tourist who survived being pushed down a ravine has been discharged from the hospital. This attack tragically resulted in the death of her 21-year-old friend. Authorities believe a 30-year-old Michigan man lured the two women onto a secluded trail overlooking the renowned castle, a popular tourist destination attracting over a million visitors annually, before assaulting them.
The surviving victim intervened in the alleged assault, but was subsequently pushed down a steep slope, falling nearly 165 feet. Remarkably, she recovered enough to leave the hospital on Friday. Both women were rescued by mountain rescue teams shortly after Wednesday's attack, but the younger woman succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect, whose identity, along with those of the victims, remains undisclosed due to German privacy regulations, was apprehended shortly after the attack. He is currently detained under suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and attempted sexual assault.
Law enforcement officials have established a dedicated website to collect evidence related to the case and have received approximately two dozen photos and videos. They continue to urge anyone with further visual documentation of the suspect and victims to come forward. According to prosecutors, the women were unacquainted with the man prior to the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, but a decision on an indictment may take several months, potentially three to four, according to a spokesperson for the Kempten prosecutor's office.
